NV Boeira Tawny 10YO (bottled 2022)

[Alex Bridgeman]

The business class lounge at Oporto airport offered a choice of three Ports: Boeira 10yo Tawny, Boeira Tawny Reserve and Boeira Fine White. Time permitted only one tasting note.

Bottled in 2022; a watery looking brick red colour, perhaps 20% opaque. Sweet redcurrant jelly on the nose. Despite the watery appearance the wine has a good texture on the palate and generous acidity. There is an underlying smokiness or baked tone to the fruit on the palate, fruit best described as honeyed raspberries. The aftertaste brings a very warm glow to lips and throat, which slowly changes to a long mint and honey finish. The baked component of this wine worries me, as does the lack of fresh fruit in a 10yo blend. Despite the acidity I found this to be too sweet and too honeyed, lacking the balance and elegance or the power of the best wines in this crowded class with the baked tone reminiscent of wines based on stocks acquired from the Casa do Douro.  80/100. Tasted 12-Nov-22.