Classic Port Wine Styles - 4-pack Sampler

It's Fortified Wine Month at Taylor's and we've put together a great little sampler of some of our favorite Port Style wines.  If you're already a Port Wine lover, then you'll love getting this fantastic deal on these delicious best-sellers.  If you're not already a fan, then these textbook style favorites will get you on your way to learning about and loving these amazing wines.

 

Sampler includes 1 bottle each:

 

Kopke Dry White (Portugal) - If you think all Port wines are sweet, red wines, then this fantastic offering for Portugal's oldest Port house will be a real eye opener.  The term Port refers to fortified wines produced in the Porto district of Portugal's Douro wine region, not to a single style of wine.  You might already be familiar with the different Ruby and Tawny style wines, but there are also White and Rose style Ports and all three (Red, White and Rose wines) can be found in both sweet and dry styles.  Here we have Kopke's dry white, that is delicious by itself but fantastically refreshing when mixed with tonic water and a splash of lime.

 

Borao de Villar 2018 "LBV" (Portugal) - LBV stands for "Late Bottled Vintage" Port, and combines many great qualities from the basic Ruby Port style and the more complex Vintage Port style.  Vintage Ports are produced only in the best years, from the house's best grapes and really don't show their true identity and flavors that make them so sought after until they've had extensive cellar ageing.  LBV Ports also use grapes from only good vintages and are barrel aged to add complexities and flavors of barrel ageing to Ruby style wines and are ready to drink upon release.  The nose's bouquet is wonderfully exuberant and vibrant with jams and sweet ripe fruits aromas. A full-mouth and involving sensation with very rich and juicy flavors of wild fruits but perfectly balanced with soft peppery tannins and with a fine acidity that ensure perfect balance on the palate.

 

Hardy's "Whisker's Blake" Classic Tawny (Australia) - The reason we say "Port Styles" in the title instead of just Port is that similar Champange, true Ports only come from Portugal and everything else is a Port Style wine, not a true Port.  Just like there are fantastic sparkling wines from other places than Champagne, there are amazing examples of fortified, Port style wines from other wine regions.  This is especially true in Australia, where wineries like Seppeltsfield and Hardy's have been producing Port style wines (aka Stickies down-under) longer than many of the current Portuguese Port houses.  Also like sparkling wines from non-Champagne regions, the Port style wines from these other regions are often excellent values.  This is definitely the case with the Whisker's Blake Classic 10yr Tawny, that drinks better than many more famous, true Ports that cost $30 or more.

Tawny red with amber hues and dark red tints. The nose offers rich fruit nuances, ripe fruit lifts supports by coffee, chocolate, raisins and nutty aromas. This classic Australian Tawny exhibits a smooth palate and mellow with good length and a dry-ish finish.

 

Presidential Porto Ruby (Portugal) – The proprietary and unique bottle shape may not fit conveniently on the wine rack, but that is a small price to pay for such an excellent value wine.  On the nose, it offers enticing aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and plums, interwoven with subtle hints of spice and chocolate. When you take a sip, you'll experience a smooth and velvety texture that perfectly balances sweetness, culminating in a long, lingering finish. This medium-bodied wine pairs wonderfully with blue cheese, chocolate, and barbecue, making it a versatile choice for various occasions.