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The November 2020 Auction: Part 3
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1 / 2Lot 1267
Estimate: $1,700
OWC. Bottled 2011. "In 2008 Taylor Fladgate's Head winemaker, David Guimaraens, became aware of the existence of a very old and rare cask-aged port, dating from the period before Phylloxera arrived in the Douro Valley and destroyed most of its vineyards. The wine, over 150 years in age, belonged to a distinguished Douro family and was stored in a wine lodge in the village of Prezegueda in the Corgo Valley. A treasured heirloom, the wine had been passed down from one generation to the next and attempts to persuade the family to part with it had been unsuccessful. In 2009, the sole surviving descendant of the family died leaving no children. Her heirs, not all of whom were family members, decided to sell the two casks of this unique and historically important wine. Taylor Fladgate acquired samples and, amazingly in view of its age, found that it was not only in faultless condition but of superb quality. The purchase was successfully negotiated and the two casks were moved to the firm’s lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia on 13th January, 2010. Under normal circumstances a very old wood age port like this would have been incorporated into the firm’s aged tawny reserves, in this case into the 40 year old tawny blend. However, in view of its quality, rarity and historical interest, Taylor Fladgate's CEO, Adrian Bridge, decided that it should not be blended but should be made available as a unique collector’s item. In the autumn of 2010, the wine was launched as a very limited edition, under the name of Scion. Scion is one of the oldest and rarest aged tawny ports ever sold and one of very few pre-Phylloxera wines from any vineyard region to reach us in perfect condition." - www.Taylor.pt
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Reviews
100NM
"Tasted at Taylor’s tawny seminar in London. A clear dark brown colour that looks like a mature Tokaji, with thick tears in the glass. It has a very intense, almost honeyed bouquet with allspice, singed leather, pressed rose petals, molasses, mint and a touch of dried fig. The oxidation is minimal, which is quite remarkable for its age, a sense of ebullience and joie-de-vivre bursting forth. The palate is full-bodied with intense honeyed fruits, touches of fig, date and liquorice vying for attention, biting acidity that cuts through the intense fruit. This is unbelievably fresh and vibrant with an almost Sauternes-like quality on the honey-glazed, hazelnut-tinged finish. It has unbelievable length. Simply stunning. Tasted October 2010."
Region
Sweet
Country
Score
"Tasted at Taylor’s tawny seminar in London. A clear dark brown colour that looks like a mature Tokaji, with thick tears in the glass. It has a very intense, almost honeyed bouquet with allspice, singed leather, pressed rose petals, molasses, mint and a touch of dried fig. The oxidation is minimal, which is quite remarkable for its age, a sense of ebullience and joie-de-vivre bursting forth. The palate is full-bodied with intense honeyed fruits, touches of fig, date and liquorice vying for attention, biting acidity that cuts through the intense fruit. This is unbelievably fresh and vibrant with an almost Sauternes-like quality on the honey-glazed, hazelnut-tinged finish. It has unbelievable length. Simply stunning. Tasted October 2010."
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Best known for fortified Port from the Douro Valley, Portugal also produces distinctive dry reds from native grapes such as Touriga Nacional. Its dramatic terraced vineyards and blending traditions give the wines a singular identity.
One of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions, famed for fortified Port and, increasingly, powerful dry reds. Its terraced schist vineyards and native grapes yield wines of concentration and character.
Covers powerful dry reds and fortified Port from native varieties grown on the valley's terraced schist slopes.
Spain's noble red grape, producing structured, savory wines of red fruit and leather that respond beautifully to oak aging in Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Portugal's finest red grape, giving deeply colored, floral and structured wines central to both Port and the Douro's dry reds.