Grahams 50 years old Portvin Portugal 20%

Fifty years is longer than most careers, marriages, or even vines themselves manage to last. In Graham's cellars, it's the time it takes to reach the very top of the house's tawny style.

Expert's Description

Graham's 50 Year Old Tawny Port is a Portuguese aged Tawny Port from the Douro Valley, matured in oak casks for an average of 50 years and bottled at 20%.

The Port is a blend of some of the oldest casks in Graham's reserves, chosen by the cellar master for their depth and concentration. That much time in oak comes at a cost in volume, a large share of the wine evaporates through the pores of the wood over the decades, leaving behind a syrupy, concentrated remainder with intense flavour.

Graham's was founded in 1820 by brothers William and John Graham and has belonged to the Symington family since 1970, the family that today manages some of the Douro Valley's oldest and most valuable cask reserves. A 50 year old tawny is among the rarest expressions the house ever releases.

Only a handful of casks ever reach this age without losing balance or fresh acidity along the way. The casks that do form the basis of one of the most sought-after bottles in Graham's range.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose unfolds in layers of orange blossom, preserved fruitcake, toffee, tobacco and butterscotch.

Palate

The palate is rich and creamy, with vibrant acidity and notes of seasoned wood, nutmeg and cinnamon binding the sweet and oxidative notes together.

Finish

The finish is long and rewarding, closing with a last touch of walnut and toasted nutmeg that lingers well after each sip.

Specifications

Name: Graham's 50 Year Old Tawny Port
Winery: Graham's
Region-Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Tawny Port
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak casks, average 50 years

Flavour Profile

Concentrated · Spiced · Rare · Rich

Investment Potential

A 50 year old tawny is among the rarest bottles Graham's releases, since only a handful of casks ever reach that age without being drawn off along the way. Among collectors of aged Port, bottles at this level are typically regarded as one of the most coveted points in an entire Port house's range.

Did You Know?

Over 50 years in cask, a large share of the original volume of Port evaporates through the pores of the wood, a process the spirits world knows as the 'angels' share'. What eventually reaches the bottle is therefore only a fraction of what was first laid down in cask half a century earlier.

See our full range of Graham's

Frequently Asked Questions about Graham's 50 Year Old Tawny Port

What does Graham's 50 Year Old Tawny Port taste like?

It offers orange blossom, fruitcake, toffee, tobacco and butterscotch, with a creamy, acid-fresh palate and a long finish of walnut and toasted nutmeg.

Is Graham's 50 Year Old Tawny Port worth the investment?

Only a handful of Graham's casks ever reach 50 years of age without being drawn off along the way, making this bottle one of the rarest expressions in the house's range and one of the most coveted among collectors of aged Port.

How should an opened bottle best be stored?

Recorked and kept somewhere cool and dark, a Port this old and oxidatively matured can easily last several months after opening.

Why isn't there a vintage year on the label?

The 50 year age statement covers the average age of the casks in the blend, composed by the cellar master to hit a particular, deep character.

What's the difference between a 40 year old and a 50 year old tawny from Graham's?

The extra ten years produce an even more concentrated, syrupy texture and a deeper, spicier character, since even more of the wine has evaporated through the cask's pores.

Is Graham's 50 Year Old Tawny Port a good gift?

Yes, the rare age and the striking bottle make it one of the most exceptional gifts you can give a Port enthusiast.

What is Graham's history?

The house was founded in 1820 by brothers William and John Graham and has belonged to the Symington family since 1970, who manage some of the Douro Valley's oldest cask reserves.