Taylor Fladgate 40 Year Old Tawny Port

Winery Background and History

Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman (commonly “Taylor’s”) is one of the great historic Port houses of Portugal, founded in 1692 and based in Vila Nova de Gaia.  The house has long been known for excellence across all styles of Port — vintage, tawny, ruby, LBV, white — and its aged tawny series (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years) are benchmarks of oxidative aging in oak. The 40 Year Old Tawny is part of its “Rich & Mellow” portfolio, showcasing the house’s mastery of long-term oak maturation. 

Producer and Wine Maker

Produced by Taylor Fladgate’s blending and aging team, the 40 Year Old Tawny is a blend of many vintages matured in seasoned oak casks.  The team selects older tawny components, monitors oxidation, balances residual sugars, and blends for consistency to reflect the house style of elegance and maturity. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The vineyards for Taylors’ tawny Ports are located across the Douro Valley, particularly in subregions such as Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.  The Douro climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, and significant diurnal temperature swings that help preserve acidity and allow concentration. The steep terraces and schist soils force vines to root deeply, concentrating fruit and minerality. Over decades, the coastal climate in the aging cellars of Gaia tempers oxidative development, allowing slow evolution in wood. 

Vinification & Aging Methods

From traditional Port practices: grapes are fermented, then fortified to arrest fermentation (so that residual sugar remains).  Following fortification, the wine is aged oxidatively in oak casks for decades. The 40 Year Old Tawny is a blend of components with an average of 40 years of cask aging.  The long time in wood delivers the nutty, caramel, dried fruit, oxidative complexity characteristic of aged tawny Ports.

Tasting Notes

The color is deep amber to tawny with olive-gold hues.  On the nose: dried fruits (fig, apricot), caramel, marmalade, nuts (hazelnut, walnut), toasted oak, subtle spice and honey.  The palate is rich and viscous, layered with maturity: dried fruit, nutty almond notes, orange peel, toffee, and a lingering finish of oxidation, spice, and gentle sweetness balanced by acidity. 

Food & Wine Pairing

Pairs excellently with nut desserts (almond tart, pecan pie), caramel or toffee desserts, dried fruits, crème brûlée, and aged cheeses (blue cheese, mature Gouda). It also works beautifully as a contemplative “digestif” on its own. 

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve slightly chilled—12 °C to 16 °C is ideal.  Use a port glass or smaller red wine glass to focus aromas. Decanting is not required for this style.  Once opened, store upright and consume within weeks for optimal freshness. 

Storage and Aging Potential

Because it has already spent 40 years in cask, further aging in bottle will not dramatically transform it, though it can remain elegant for years if stored cool, upright, and shielded from light.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

Blend of traditional Douro red Port grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Amarela (exact proportions proprietary). 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

20.0 % ABV 

Scores

• Wine Spectator: 96 

• Wine Enthusiast: 95 

• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 95 

• Wine & Spirits: 92