“Less open on the nose than the Ramos Pinto 2017. More subtle and refined, more withheld and pure, darker fruited. Even though it is more restrained, it has greater intensity and concentration on the palate, with real finesse in the tannin texture and a little more obvious freshness for sophisticated harmony.”

“The NV RP 30 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in February 2018 with a bar-top cork and 140 grams of residual sugar. The winery produces around 5,500 liters per annum of this 30 Year (typically, they do not make a 40). On opening, it's all about the sweetness, but this is remarkably fresh and elegant. Although the sweet finish obscures the complexity at first, this typically is where you are most likely to get it in the Ramos Pinto lineup of tawnies, and eventually you do (particularly the next day). Once it shakes off the bottle slumber, this 30 Year Tawny demonstrates that it is also the most tightly wound and most intense of the winery's submissions this issue. That means that it is pretty fine, and in a great place. This is lovely and exciting, more or less along the lines of the last couple of releases that I saw.”

“The NV RP 20 Year Old Tawny Port Quinta do Bom Retiro is a single-quinta tawny coming in with 130 grams of residual sugar and a bar-top cork. It was bottled in May 2018. The sugar level is a little higher this year than on the last one I saw, and this is on the sweet side on opening. This finishes, predictably, with a sweet edge at that point, but it also has a somewhat sharp edge because the spirits are a bit noticeable early on, not completely covered up by the sugar. This and the last release that I saw both had some brandy-nuanced overtones on opening and release, but both improved over a couple of days.”

“Old gold in color, this is the most complete style of aged tawny. The long barrel aging (in old barrels) has given concentration, a touch of oxidation and a wonderful spicy character. It is rich, luscious and beautifully ready to drink.”

“Very concentrated and with great richness, this is a real meditation wine . Its intensity and old-wood character are magnificent and pronounced while never losing sight of the rich wine behind it. It can be drunk now.”