NV Warre's Otima 10 Year Tawny Port
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Tasting notes
The NV Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2014. Tasted with a group of other "10s," this Otima was immediately recognizable simply because of its lighter color. Nothing else was close to it, including others that were more on the light side. This is a Tawny that's intended to be a bit different, lighter and more elegant, easier to drink. You'll either gravitate to its style or you won't. While it is not always going to be everyone's first choice in long-aged Tawnies, it succeeds well on its own terms and in its own context. Unctuous in texture, very sweet and remarkably elegant, this is most enhanced by its lovely and lingering finish, chock full of flavor. Never even a little bit heavy, and with the power, aromatics and concentration well constrained also, this should be an easy drinker that is universally popular. Barring cork failures, it will hold fine for a couple of decades or more, but it's not intended to be aged. Note that this has a bar top cork. The price references a 500-milliliter bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The non-vintage Otima 10-Year Old Tawny Port reveals a medium ruby/amber/garnet color, loads of kirsch and cedar intermixed with a touch of brown sugar in the nose, rich, full-bodied flavors, a burgeoning complexity and big aromatics. This is a full-bodied, silky smooth Tawny Port that should age easily for 8-10+ years. The Warre's-Symington reputation is, of course, based on their ports. These two inexpensive offerings are well-worth their modest prices. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802; fax (205) 980-0408 ; www.vineyardbrands.com
Restrained and delicately spiced on the nose. Tight and dense but still has a lightness of touch on the finish, which is nutty and clean. (JH)