There are few more iconic images in the world of wine than the ‘Don', the logo created for the Sandeman family in 1928 by George Massiot Brown. The cape was modelled on the attire worn by university students in Porto, while the wide-brimmed hat was a nod to the family's presence in Jerez. Today, the wines are good enough to be every bit as famous as the image of the Don. Since Sogrape bought Sandeman in 2002, the major improvements and investment that have taken place in the vineyards and the winemaking has seen the wines rise to the top of the tree in Port.

Grapes destined for the Aged Tawny Ports need to have great intensity of flavour in order to stand up to many years of ageing in barrel. The Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão and Touriga Nacional grapes which make it into the Sandeman 10-Year-Old Tawny are sourced from prime vineyard sites in the Cima Corgo sub-region of the Douro, including Sandeman's spectacular Quinta do Seixo estate. A large proportion of fruit from old vines is used in the blend as these produce lower yields of grapes with very concentrated flavours. The soil in the Douro Valley is schist - a slate-like metamorphic rock that fractures vertically, allowing the vine roots to dig deep to access water and nutrients to sustain them through the hot Dourosummers. The vines are planted on terraces supported by dry stone walls on the steep hillsides sloping down to the Douro river.
Given the steep gradients and the inaccessibility for machinery, vineyard operations and harvesting are carried out by hand.

Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and gently crushed. Fermentation took place in granite lagares with my vigorous treading to extract the ideal levels of colour, flavour and tannin before fortification. The ferment was closely monitored to determine the ideal moment to halt the fermentation by fortifying with grape spirit, leaving some of the grapes' natural sugars. The wines remained in the Douro until the spring following the harvest when they were transported downstream to the historic Sandeman cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia for oxidative ageing in oak barrels. The 10-Year-Old Tawny is a carefully crafted blend of wines between 9 to 12 years of age.

This Port is delicious when served slightly chilled. It matches perfectly with a rich appetizer or a strong blue cheese. Also, it goes well with rich desserts from a tarte tatin, to custards, ice cream and puddings with figs, nuts and raisins.

'Deep hue. Marked fresh red fruit, almost vinous aromas. Big and bold with brooding dried fruit and a dark chocolate finish.' 92 points Decanter

'Rich and supple, offering creamy flavors of hazelnut, Christmas pudding and ripe cherry, with cocoa powder notes. Lush and spicy on the long, ripe finish.' 91 points Wine Spectator

Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, Gold Medal Winner
International Wine & Spirit Competition 2021, Silver
International Wine Challenge 2021, Silver