Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port

Winery Background and History

Taylor Fladgate, formally Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman, is a storied Port house founded in 1692 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.  Over centuries, Taylor has built a large reserve of wood-aged wines and elevated the age-statement Tawny category (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years) as benchmarks of oxidative aging and complexity.  The 10 Year Old Tawny is one of its flagship releases in the “Rich & Mellow” line, blending multiple vintages matured in oak to deliver approachability with depth. 

Producer and Wine Maker

This wine is crafted by Taylor Fladgate’s team in Gaia, who curate barrel lots aged in seasoned oak and blend them to reach an average of 10 years of oxidative aging.  Their objective is consistency, balance, and expression of aged Port character while retaining freshness—the hallmark of a well-crafted Tawny blend.

Vineyards and Micro Climate

Grapes for the base components come from vineyards across the Douro Valley, particularly from the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior zones. The climate is continental: hot, dry summers and cold winters, with sharp diurnal swings that help maintain acidity in the fruit. The schist soils force vines to root deeply, concentrating flavors—a key factor in aging potential.

Vinification & Aging Methods

Fermentation in traditional Port fashion is interrupted by fortification (addition of spirit) to preserve residual sugars. The wine is then aged oxidatively in oak casks over many years. The 10 Year Old Tawny is a blend of these aged lots, matured in seasoned oak (approx. 630 L casks) for a decade.  Over time, the oxidative environment imparts nutty, dried fruit, and caramel notes while softening fruit edges.

Tasting Notes

On the nose: aromas of dried apricot, fig, walnut, caramel, toasted almond, nutmeg and hints of spices.  On the palate: richly textured and silky, with flavors of dried fruits, toffee, gently roasted nuts, honey, and subtle wood spice. The finish is long, elegant, with a balance between sweetness and acidity.

Food & Wine Pairing

Pairs beautifully with nut-based desserts, almond cake, dried fruits, caramel or toffee desserts, crème brûlée, or as a digestif. It also matches well with aged cheeses, particularly blue or nutty cheeses.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve slightly chilled—ideally between 12 °C and 16 °C. Use a port or small red wine glass to concentrate aromatics. Decanting is not necessary, as this style typically contains no sediment.

Storage and Aging Potential

Because it is already aged for ten years in wood, further bottle aging has modest effect. If stored upright in cool, dark conditions, it will remain stable and elegant for many years. After opening, consume within a few weeks to retain freshness.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

A blend of Douro’s traditional red varieties (e.g. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão). The exact proportion is proprietary.

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

20 % ABV 

Scores

• Wine Spectator: 90 

• “93” by Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (cited in retailer listings) 

• James Suckling: 93 

• Wine Enthusiast: 90