Quevedo 40 Anos Porto 0.75L

CITRUS MARMALADE, ROASTED NUTS AND MARZIPAN. FOUR DECADES IN WOOD, FOLLOWED BY A FINISH THAT REFUSES TO LEAVE.

Forty years in wood leaves very little room for simplicity.

Quevedo 40 Anos Porto is an exceptionally mature Tawny assembled through the combined work of three generations: João, Oscar Sr. and Cláudia Quevedo. Their blend balances the extraordinary concentration created by prolonged ageing in the Douro with the freshness and elegance that define Quevedo’s Tawny style.

The wine is fermented traditionally in granite lagares before beginning its long maturation in seasoned chestnut casks. Wines from different harvests are blended to create a Tawny with an average age and character of 40 years. It is bottled without filtration, retaining the full depth developed during its extended maturation.

By now, youthful fruit has transformed almost completely. Citrus marmalade, dried fruit and marzipan meet nutmeg and almond essence on the nose. Roasted nuts, caramel and bitter almond follow on the palate, joined by coffee, cloves, cinnamon and ginger.

There is considerable sweetness, as one might reasonably expect, but decades of evaporation have also produced formidable acidity. That tension keeps the Port energetic, layered and remarkably composed.

Forty years to make.

Considerably less time to understand why.

Tasting notes

Amber in colour with distinctive green highlights around the edge.

The aroma is intense and complex, combining citrus marmalade, dried fruit, nutmeg, marzipan and almond essence.

High acidity gives the opening an unexpectedly sharp and energetic quality. The texture then becomes smooth and generous, revealing dried fruit, roasted nuts and caramel.

Cloves, freshly ground coffee and bitter almonds emerge through the middle. Citrus, cinnamon and ginger take control of the finish, which is powerful, intricate and exceptionally persistent.

Producer: Quevedo
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro Valley
Appellation: Porto
Category: Fortified wine
Wine type: Tawny Port with an indication of age
Age statement: 40 years
Style: Exceptionally mature, concentrated and elegantly oxidative
Grape varieties: Traditional Douro varieties; precise blend not stated by the producer
Fermentation: Traditional fermentation in granite lagares
Ageing: Matured in seasoned chestnut casks
Average age: 40 years
Filtration: Unfiltered
Master blender: Cláudia Quevedo
Colour: Amber with green highlights
Alcohol: 20% ABV
Total acidity: 5.2g/L
pH: 3.44
Residual sugar: 139g/L
Bottle size: 750ml

The 40-year designation represents the average age and mature character of the final multi-harvest blend. It does not mean that every component comes from one vintage or has spent precisely 40 years in the same cask.

Perfect serve

Serve lightly chilled at 12–14°C in a proper Port glass or small white-wine glass.

Too cold and much of its extraordinary aromatic complexity will remain hidden. Too warm and the alcohol may begin to dominate. A gentle chill allows the citrus, nuts, coffee and spices to unfold gradually as the wine warms in the glass.

Because the Port is bottled without filtration, stand the bottle upright before opening and pour carefully. Decanting is not automatically necessary, but it may be useful if you notice any sediment.

Give it time in the glass.

It has already shown considerable patience.

Cocktail serve

Forty-Year Tawny Sazerac

There is a strong argument for leaving a Port of this age entirely alone.

There is also a strong argument for making one exceptionally good cocktail.

Cognac provides structure, while the Tawny contributes marmalade, roasted nuts, caramel and spice. Absinthe and bitters sharpen the edges without attempting to hide the wine.

Ingredients

• 30ml Cognac

• 30ml Quevedo 40 Anos Porto

• 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

• Absinthe, for rinsing the glass

• Lemon peel

Method

Rinse a chilled rocks glass with a small amount of absinthe and discard the excess.

Add the Cognac, Tawny Port and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir gently until chilled, then strain into the prepared glass without ice.

Express the lemon peel over the surface and use it as the garnish.

Expensive, contemplative and entirely unsuitable for drinking in a hurry.

Food pairing

Lemon tart is an excellent match. Its sharp citrus character reflects the Port’s marmalade notes, while the pastry softens its acidity and complements the caramel developed during ageing.

Cheese is equally effective, particularly mature hard varieties or rich, creamy blue cheeses. The salt balances the Port’s sweetness and allows its roasted-nut flavours to become more pronounced.

Quevedo also recommends foie gras, where the wine’s acidity cuts through the richness while its sweetness provides contrast. (shop.quevedo.pt)

Other suitable pairings include:

• Almond tart

• Walnut cake

• Crème brûlée

• Coffee and chocolate desserts

• Candied orange peel

• Roasted hazelnuts

• Aged Gouda

• Stilton

Alternatively, serve it alone.

After 40 years, it has developed more than enough complexity to carry the conversation.

Dietary and allergen information

Suitable for vegans: Not confirmed by the producer
Suitable for vegetarians: Not confirmed by the producer
Suitable for coeliacs: Not confirmed by the producer
Gluten-free: Not confirmed by the producer
Certified organic: No certification stated

Contains SULPHITES.

Always check the bottle before consumption, as ingredients and allergen information may change.

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