When I wrote about the Otima 10 year old tawny port back in 2005 it was starting to take off and has now become wildly successful. Warre's hit a home run with this for many reasons. The size at 500 ml is less intimidating that a 750 ml bottle of Tawny, the clear glass to show off the inviting color, and the wine itself --a delicious, youthful expression of caramel and burnt sugar, with a proper backbone of acidity.
So instead of somehow capitalizing on the 10-year's success by releasing some dumbed-down, younger blend at a bargain price, Warre's put out an even finer port, the Otima 20. It has the same form factor, with the same pretty bottle design, this time tinted with blue, but inside is much more of an expression of what Warre's tries to do with 20-year old blends. Traditionally, 20-year old Tawnys are drier and have more fruitcake-type aromas than the youthful brightness that typify 10-year blends. I have tasted a lot of Tawnys that are 10, 20, 30, and 40-years old and the 20-years always have a sweet spot where the fruit flavors are still vibrant but it's just showing some nice maturity.
The Otima 20 has a stunning color, a clean and still-fruity flavor and it's wrapped in aromas of dried raisins, prunes, caramel, orange peel and even a hint of grassiness on the nose. It smells like a freshly baked panforte or toasted brioche. Recommended. Around US$45.
Full disclosure: this was a press sample.
I always get asked for this one in the cellar. Actually they ask for the 10 year and I have yet to see this one on our shelf. The color of the wine looks amazing. Thanks for the savvy review! Cheers
Posted by: The Blog Wine Cellar | March 08, 2009 at 09:29 PM