Taylor Fladgate 1970 Single Harvest Port

Tasting a wine more than 50 years old is a rare treat. Very few wines are even drinkable after half a century. But the single vintage tawny ports from Taylor Fladgate shine bright.

The storied port house, which began as Taylor's in 1692, has been producing tawny ports from wines of a single vintage for eight years, releasing them at the 50-year mark. Tawny ports, which spend extended aging periods in oak barrels, are generally a blend of different years and locations. The single vintage series shows the characteristics of just one year. You can truly taste history. They also sold a tawny from 1896, which was sublime. The half-century mark might even be young.

Medium amber in colour, the nose offers a potpourri of spices, nuts, dried fruits and vanilla. The sweet palate is luscious and vibrant, with caramel, raisin, walnut, orange peel, vanilla, white pepper and allspice. It is supple, elegant and persistent, with a finish that coats the mouth for minutes.