Marthas Special Reserve Tawny Port Wine 75 cl 20%

Between the young Fine Tawny and the age-declared 10, 20 and 40 year bottles sits a level that rarely gets enough attention: Reserve. Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port is the house's take on that middle ground, more depth than the youngest Tawny, without the long wait for the oldest vintages.

Expert's Description

Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port is a Portuguese Reserve Tawny Port from the Douro Valley, matured in oak casks and bottled at 20%.

The "Reserve" designation is an official category under the Portuguese regulator IVDP, sitting between standard Tawny and the age-declared 10, 20, 30 and 40 year old bottles. The wine is a blend of several vintages, some of which have rested considerably longer in wood than the requirement for a standard Tawny.

Martha's Wine & Spirits traces back to 1727 in the Baixo Corgo district, where the family has specialised across six generations in exactly this style of cask-aged Tawny, and Special Reserve is one of the house's most balanced expressions.

The young, fresh notes from part of the blend meet the more mature, nutty tones from the older casks, giving a Port with both fresh fruit and complexity.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted nuts and dried plums, with a hint of rancio.

Palate

Soft and delicate, balancing young fruit with mature, nutty tones and a touch of caramel.

Finish

Full and persistent, with a light acidity and warmth from the spirit.

Specifications

Name: Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port
Winery: Martha's Wine & Spirits
Region/Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Reserve Tawny Port
Grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak cask
EAN no.: 5600328290043
Serving suggestion: Serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C, with creamy dessert or cream puffs

Flavour Profile

Nutty · Balanced · Rancio · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

"Reserve" is not a loose marketing term but an officially approved quality category under IVDP. To use the name, the wine has to meet a higher standard than a standard Tawny with no age statement, making Special Reserve a quiet mark of quality rather than just a name on the label.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port

What does Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port taste like?

It tastes soft and delicate, with toasted nuts, dried plums and a touch of caramel, closing with a full, lightly acidic finish.

What does "Reserve" mean on a Tawny Port?

It is an officially approved category sitting between standard Tawny and the age-declared 10, 20, 30 and 40 year old bottles, requiring the wine to meet a higher quality standard.

What is the difference between Special Reserve and Fine Tawny?

Special Reserve contains a larger share of older wine in the blend than a Fine Tawny, giving more depth and complexity without quite reaching the level of an age-declared 10 or 20 Year Old Tawny.

At what temperature should Special Reserve be served?

Best lightly chilled at 14-16°C, where the nutty, full-bodied notes come through most clearly.

Does Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port pair well with food?

It is ideal with creamy dessert, cream puffs or nut cake, where the toasted notes play well against the sweetness.

Where does Martha's Special Reserve Tawny Port come from?

It comes from the Martha family's vineyards in Baixo Corgo in the Douro Valley, where the family has produced Tawny Port for generations.