Porto Cruz Tawny

Porto Cruz Tawny is the classic cask-aged red Port from Gran Cruz, the Douro's largest Port producer. It draws on the traditional Douro red varieties grown on the terraced schist slopes above the river.

The wine is fortified mid-fermentation with grape spirit, in the Port style, to retain sweetness before ageing. It then spends roughly three to four years in oak casks, where slow, controlled oxidation lightens the ruby colour toward Tawny amber, softens the structure and begins to trade fresh fruit for cooked-fruit, vanilla and caramel character drawn from the wood.

The result is reddish in tone with aromas of strawberry and raspberry compote, moving toward plum, vanilla and caramel with age. The palate balances sweetness against a lively acidity and closes fresh and clean. Serve lightly chilled or at room temperature after a meal, or build it into a Port and tonic; it works with milk chocolate, dried fruit and nuts, or a wedge of firm cheese.