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 Douro
summers. 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
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