Taylor's : Very Very Old White Port 80 Year Old

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Very Very Old White Port 80 Year Old by Taylor's

Tasting

Nose
Remarkably deep, the bouquet unfolds a succession of captivating aromas. It reveals notes of dried apricot, orange zest and almond biscotti, harmoniously intertwined with delicate floral touches of jasmine, wild lavender and orange blossom.

Palate
The palate stands out for its pure fruit and great elegance, underpinned by vibrant acidity. Indulgent flavours of honey, almond and toasted hazelnut emerge, alongside tonka bean, blood grapefruit and saffron-tinged spices. A subtle saline thread completes the experience, leading to a long, intense finish of absolute finesse.

Food and wine pairing
This complex cuvée elevates rich savoury dishes such as pan-seared foie gras with citrus, terrines with dried fruit or smoked fish with a lemon cream. On the sweet side, it pairs wonderfully with characterful blue cheeses and refined desserts showcasing citrus or dried fruit, such as an orange tart or iced nougat.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate the Very Very Old White Port 80 Year Old, serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C in a tulip-shaped glass. Around fifteen minutes of aeration in the glass is enough to release its aromas; decanting is not necessary. Thanks to its very long ageing, this port is perfectly stable and will keep for many years under good storage conditions, although it is already ready to drink, offering a true journey through time.

Other characteristics
This exceptional port stands out for its high sugar concentration, perfectly balanced by a lovely vivacity. It is presented in a sumptuous bespoke decanter designed in collaboration with Vista Alegre, nestled in an elegant luxury case made from responsibly sourced materials.

An exceptionally rare White Port from Taylor's

The estate
Founded in 1692, Taylor's is one of the oldest houses in the Douro region and the only one of British origin to have remained family-owned and independent. Now led by Adrian Bridge within The Fladgate Partnership group, this iconic brand is renowned for its pioneering spirit and exceptional expertise. Based in Vila Nova de Gaia, the house draws on historic estates to craft ports of remarkable quality, combining tradition and innovation, and has established itself as an essential benchmark.

The vineyard
The grapes come from the spectacular Douro Valley, in the Duriense region, a mountainous terroir with poor schist soils and a hot, dry continental climate. The house relies on historic Class A estates, such as Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco, to craft this port. A true pioneer, it has developed an award-winning model of sustainable viticulture based on narrow terraces with a 3° incline to limit erosion, optimise water use and encourage biodiversity without the use of herbicides.

The blend
This cuvée is a blend of unique and extremely rare lots of very old white wines with an average age of over 80 years. Some of these exceptional reserves even date back to 1896. Drawn from stocks predating the major changes to the Douro River, this blend is a true time capsule, impossible to reproduce once the casks have run dry.

Winemaking and ageing
The Very Very Old White Port 80 Year Old is crafted through prolonged oxidative ageing over several decades. It is matured in old oak casks in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. Under the guidance of cellar master David Guimaraens, the lots are meticulously selected and blended to achieve a perfect balance between concentration, aromatic richness and freshness.

Grape varieties
The blend showcases local white grape varieties, including Malvasia Fina, chosen for their ability to concentrate aromas and retain fine acidity, essential for ageing over several decades.