Offley is a Sogrape brand. Pre-Covid I recall going out with the Sogrape folks to the Bolsa (Old Stock Exchange) in Porto for some stellar Portuguese beef…prime rib roast I recall and we had Port with the beef. It worked perfectly and I won’t forget that match. But mention it to just about anyone in North America and they will look at you with wide eyes and disbelief. What a shame.
Orange brickish hues around the rim of the glass are indicative of ageing.
Aroma: Marmalade, milk chocolate, Groselha (red currants), butterscotch, plump organic California raisins and roasted Portuguese almonds.
Palate: Smooth as a baby’s bottom as they say with a not an unpleasant burn. Look through the heat there is red plum, fig, and Triple Sec. An intriguing combination of heat, acidity and subdued fruit give this Tawny an extraordinarily long finish. Unlike many Vintage Ports or Late Bottled Vintage Ports there is no gush of luscious black fruits instead this is taught, tightfisted and hyper and would rather nervously pace around the room or even better play a marvellous Glen Gould piano concerto pounding away magically on the keyboard. Port Attention Deficit Syndrome.
Personality: Given the burn I exhibit I am a hot shot. Perhaps a “Top Gun” Port! Think of me as having a hot temper. I am not a complex personality but I got lots of zip.
Food Pairing: A bit too hot for pairing with solo beef. Perhaps a Sichuan hot pepper with orange beef or simply after dinner with some almonds and Oka cheese from Quebec. It would suit a multitude of Azorean soft cheeses.
Cellarbility: Perhaps hold until end of 2025.
Price: $26.95 (Ontario).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating; 89/100. Decanter.com 90.
(Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny, Sogrape, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, 750 mL, 20%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 297778).
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