'Centenario' Very Old Colheita Tawny Port 1870&1970 The Last Drop

The Last Drop have been bringing us some of the world's finest spirits since 2006. In 2016 they journeyed to the Douro Valley in northern Portugal to source this stunning duo set of fine old Tawny Port. 

With the help of Cristiano van Zeller, they were able to unearth these prized, ancient oak casks of Tawny Ports which make up The Last Drop "Centenario" Duo. 

The 11th release is comprised of two very old Tawny Ports which offer a rare opportunity to sample two dramatically different examples of liquid set 100 years apart. The 1870 bottle was made from grapes on pre-Phyllorexa vines and the 1970 bottling come from vines grafted onto American root stock after the louse wiped out huge numbers of Europe's vineyards.

NEAL MARTIN’S TASTING NOTES Clove, toffee, wild fennel and smoke aromas. The palate is sweet and crisp on the entry with a tang of Seville orange marmalade and quince. There is great tension here thanks to the fine seam of acidity with a fresh, almost “zippy” finish that belies its age. A fine Colheita Tawny. 93 Points.

JANCIS ROBINSON’S TASTING NOTES Pale gingery tawny with a yellow-green rim – much paler than the 1870. Rich butteriness comes out from underneath on the nose. Then, on the palate, very satisfying richness overlaid with citrus peel and some refreshing acidity on the finish. It’s certainly a feat for a tawny port to give so much pleasure at nearly 50 years old. Much richer and more concentrated than the average tawny sold as a 30-year old. Well chosen! 17.5/20.