PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s). Sandeman 10 Years Old Tawny Port 6 x 0.75L 6 Bottles Port Wine DESCRIPTION It all started in 1790 when the 25-year-old son of a Scottish prosperous cabinetmaker asked for a 300£ loan from his father to set up as a wine merchant in London. This ambitious young man was George Sandeman, the founder of Sandeman, who ended up establishing one of the world’s leading Port and Sherry wine businesses. From early on Sandeman specialised in these two great Iberian fortified wines and, following a usual practice in those days, began trading not from own offices but from Tom’s Coffee house, on Birchin Lane, London. Business was agreed on a ‘gentleman’s word’ and George soon gained an impeccable reputation, characteristic of The House of Sandeman to today. In 1877, just one year following the creation of the first ‘Trade Marks Registration Act’ in England, the brand name ‘GSC George Sandeman & Co.’ (in Sandeman casks since 1805) was officially listed, being one the world’s oldest registered trademarks still in use. Sandeman is since 2002 under the ownership of Sogrape, a leading family-owned fine wine company, founded in 1942 in Portugal, and operating in five continents. Sandeman has profited from its know-how, investments and footprint, namely in the Douro, where Sogrape is a prime land owner and leading player in the industry. The many prizes and awards received by Sandeman Vintage Ports are a reflection of the excellent work done in the recent years. Sandeman was in the founding family from 1790 until 1952, when it became a public company, before Seagram took possession in 1980. In 2000, when Seagram beverage business was sold, Sandeman briefly passed to Pernod Ricard prior to its acquisition by Sogrape in 2002. WINEMAKER: Luis Sottomayor. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 96 Points, Gold Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 95 Points, Gold Medal, International Wine Challenge 94 Points, International Wine & Spirit Competition 91-92 Points, Vert de Vin 91 Points, Wine Spectator 91 Points, Tom Cannavan 91 Points, Andreas Larsson - Tasted 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast 17 Points, Vinho Grandes Escolhas 17 Points, Revista de Vinhos 16 Points, Jancis Robinson Gold Medal, Mundus Vini Gold Medal, Berlin Wine Trophy Gold Medal, Portugal Wine Trophy Gold Medal, Challenge International du Vin WINE VARIETIES: Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca & Touriga Nacional. VINIFICATION Sandeman Porto Tawny 10 Years Old is produced by the traditional Porto Wine method. The hand-picked grapes undergo stalk-removal and crushing before fermentation, under controlled temperature, with skin maceration so as to extract the best components. The addition of wine alcohol at the ideal moment sets the balance between the wine´s body and bouquet. This moment is chosen by the winemaker following strict control of fermentation temperatures and densities, the later depending on the vine variety, maturation stage and the final sweetness required. After the harvest, the wines remain in the Douro until the following Spring, when they are taken to V.N.Gaia and enter Sandeman´s centuries-old lodges for ageing in oak wood casks, as required by Porto Wine traditional ageing system. Along the years, the wines selected for this Sandeman Porto Tawny 10 Years Old are carefully tasted and analysed, racked from lees and all corrections deemed necessary by the tasters are carried out. The final blend results from a selection of wines between 9 and 12 years of age, composed to maintain the consistency and character of this Sandeman Porto Tawny 10 Years Old. TASTING NOTES The intense red tawny colour with shades of brick, typical of this style of aged yet youthful wine, anticipates the elegant and complex aroma, combining ripe fruit, jam and nuts, with hints of vanilla and raisins. In the mouth, Sandeman Porto Tawny 10 Years Old is a most flavoursome wine, full-bodied and appealing, with a persistent finish. SERVING Sandeman Porto Tawny 10 Years Old is delicious served slightly chilled on its own and a surprising accompaniment to a rich appetizer or a strong blue cheese. It is also a perfect match to rich desserts from a tarte tatin, to custards, ice-cream, pudding with figs, nuts and raisins. Sandeman Porto Tawny 10 Years Old is ready for drinking and does not require decanting but benefits from aeration. Once open, it should be consumed within 2-3 months. Serve between 12ºC-16ºC.