Grahams 30 year old Portwine Portugal 20%

Thirty years is a long time to wait for a glass of wine – but in Graham's cellars it's simply another vintage quietly maturing while the world outside turns decade after decade.

Expert's Description

Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port is a Portuguese aged Tawny Port from the Douro Valley, matured in oak casks for an average of 30 years and bottled at 20%.

The wine matures in small oak casks, known as pipas, where slow oxidation through the wood's pores transforms the young, dark Port into something else entirely: a copper-toned, nutty drink with a depth that only comes with time. Graham's cellar master continually tastes the casks and selects those mature enough to enter the 30 year old blend.

Graham's dates back to 1820, when brothers William and John Graham founded the house in Porto. Since 1970 the Symington family has owned and run the business, and it's their cellar masters who today manage the cask reserves this 30 year old tawny is drawn from.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is full of dried figs, dates and apricots, backed by toasted almonds, hazelnuts and a touch of caramel and butterscotch.

Palate

The palate is mature and concentrated, with honeyed fruit, walnut and hazelnut, brown bread and dried fig, while bitter orange and lightly toasted almond add edge to an otherwise soft profile.

Finish

The finish closes with a touch of green tea that lends a fresh lift to an otherwise long, lingering aftertaste.

Specifications

Name: Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port
Winery: Graham's
Region-Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Tawny Port
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak casks, average 30 years
EAN no.: 5010867400146

Flavour Profile

Nutty · Honeyed · Mature · Complex

Investment Potential

A 30 year old tawny is a relatively rare sight on shelves, since only a small share of any cask reserve reaches that age without being drawn off along the way. Among collectors of aged Port, the 30 year category is sought after, without reaching the very highest tiers.

Did You Know?

The small oak casks a tawny matures in are known as pipas and hold around 550-600 litres, far smaller than the large vats used for younger ruby styles. That smaller size means more contact between wine and wood per litre, one of the main reasons an old tawny develops its characteristic nutty, oxidative character.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port

What does Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port taste like?

It offers dried fig, apricot and date, with toasted almonds and hazelnut in the background. The palate is honeyed and mature, while the finish picks up a fresh touch of green tea.

Why doesn't an old tawny carry a vintage year on the label?

The 30 year age statement covers the average age of the casks in the blend, not a single harvest. It's the cellar master's job to compose the casks so the result keeps the same style year after year.

At what temperature should this Port be served?

It's best enjoyed at 16-18°C in a Port glass, ideally to round off a meal.

How long can an opened bottle keep?

Because the wine is already oxidatively matured, it handles air far better than a young Port and can easily last several weeks if recorked after use.

What's the difference between a 30 year old and a 40 year old tawny from Graham's?

The longer the time in cask, the more concentrated and nutty the wine becomes. A 40 year old typically has more depth and a drier, more intense finish than a 30 year old.

Is Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port a good gift?

Yes, the age statement and the presentable bottle make it well suited as a gift for wine lovers or for round-number milestones.