Croft Fine Tawny Port Blend NV

PORTUGAL : DOUROTinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga NacionalFULL-BODIED, DRIED FIG, MULLED RAISIN, CINNAMON, ORANGE PEEL, OAKFounded in 1588, Croft is one of the oldest Port houses still operating. Where Fine Ruby goes into large neutral vats to hold primary fruit intact, Fine Tawny takes the opposite path: three years in 650-litre seasoned oak pipes in the lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia. Controlled oxidation does the work — the wine's color migrates from deep ruby to amber-tawny, and fresh berry character gives way to dried fruit, nut, and spice.The result is Port in its more contemplative mode. Dried fig and prune over blackberry; mulled raisin and cinnamon where Ruby runs to spiced cherry; a hint of hazelnut husk and orange peel on the finish. James Molesworth called it "relatively fresh and open-knit" with "mulled raisin, cinnamon, and toffee notes" — Wine Spectator 88 pts. Serve lightly chilled at 12–14°C.PAIRINGS : Crème brûlée caramel and toffee in the wine echo the sugar crust directly Stilton or Gorgonzola salt and tang cut the sweetness and complement the oxidative character Pecan tart roasted nut mirrors the hazelnut notes that develop during Tawny aging

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