Ramos Pinto 30 Old Tawny Port

Ramos Pinto 30 Old Tawny Port is made by Casa Ramos Pinto in the Douro Valley, a blend of old wood aged ports averaging thirty years, built from the region's native grapes grown on steep slate and schist terraces. A tawny of this age is assembled from many casks, some matured for decades, and balancing these old wines into a consistent style takes long experience and patience. The defining process is slow oxidative ageing in seasoned oak. Over the years, gentle contact with air through the wood fades the deep red to amber, evaporates a little wine and water, and trades fresh fruit for nutty, spiced complexity. The long ageing also softens the spirit and concentrates the wine. The colour is amber with a green gold rim. The nose is complex, opening with vanilla and nuts and moving to cocoa and cinnamon. The palate is smooth and deeply layered, with walnut, dried fig and caramel carried to a long, warming finish. Serve lightly chilled at 12 to 14 degrees, ideally decanted, in a small glass. It is excellent with nut tarts, dried fruit and aged cheese.