PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
A 20 Year Old Tawny is the age at which Port reaches its full expression: the red fruit of youth has faded to dried fruit, nuts, and caramel, and the oak has given the wine a gentle varnish-and-spice complexity. The age on the label is an average of the blend’s components, so a 20-year tawny holds wines both younger and much older than 20 years. Alves de Sousa’s version comes from the family’s Quinta da Gaivosa, near Régua in the Baixo Corgo, whose cooler site contributes freshness and balance, and from Quinta de Oliveirinha in the Cima Corgo, the heart of Port country, which adds concentration and richness. The Alves de Sousa family farms six properties in the Douro, and Tiago Alves de Sousa makes the Ports.
The blend draws on more than 30 native grape varieties from very old vines, including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão. They are fermented with indigenous yeasts at 20-25°C for 3 to 4 days, the fermentation is stopped with wine spirit at 77%, and the Port is aged in old French oak casks, producing a wine with 19.5% alcohol, total acidity of 5.19 g/L, and pH 3.57. The winery’s note on the style: “Amber in color. Large concentration and complexity, full of spices, herbs and caramel notes. Beautifully refined by time, expresses the beauty of maturity.”
Critics have rewarded it. James Suckling scored it 92 points, finding it long, fresh, and flavorful, with notes of varnish and hazelnuts. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate scored it 90 points: “an extraordinary amber aged color... a wine that is characterized by having a huge concentration and complexity, full of spices, caramel, and notes of good woods. It is an elegant wine, very polished by time.” Revista de Vinhos scored it 17.5/20, and the International Wine Challenge awarded it a Gold Medal in 2016. At the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards, it earned 91 points and a Silver Medal: “Honey, dusty apricots, nutty and caramel with burnt orange, citrus notes underneath. Sultana, cinnamon and long coating finish.” Another Decanter panel found “rich and characterful, with a distinct earthiness underpinning the thick layer of marmalade, quince and frangipane,” with “apple strudel-like layering of fruit, spice...”
The Wine Detective, in a Decanter tasting, said it “showcases producer and sub-region perfectly. It’s very spicy, with zingy grapefruit marmalade, making for a lightness of spirit. Peanut brittle and smokier roast hazelnut bring savoury undertones. Lovely freshness and spicy persistence.” A visiting writer found “a big nose dominated by brown sugar, Christmas nuts, almond, dried figs and dates.”
It’s a graceful, fresh, nutty 20-year-old tawny, served lightly chilled (about 12-15°C) in small glasses, after dinner, with blue cheese, aged hard cheeses, caramel and egg-custard desserts, nuts, and a cigar. The 500ml bottle is the traditional size for aged Port, and a good gift.
Quinta da Gaivosa 20 Year Old Tawny Port is produced by Alves de Sousa (winemaker Tiago Alves de Sousa) in the Douro Valley, Portugal, from fruit from Quinta da Gaivosa (Baixo Corgo) and Quinta de Oliveirinha (Cima Corgo), a blend of more than 30 native old-vine varieties. Fermented 3-4 days with indigenous yeasts at 20-25°C, fortified with 77% wine spirit, and aged in old French oak casks to an average age of 20 years. 19.5% ABV, 500ml.
James Suckling — 92 Points (as supplied: long, fresh, and flavorful, with notes of varnish and hazelnuts)
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 90 Points:
“Quinta da Gaivosa 20 Year Old Tawny Port reveals an extraordinary amber aged color. It is a wine that is characterized by having a huge concentration and complexity, full of spices, caramel, and notes of good woods. It is an elegant wine, very polished by time expressing all the greatness of its complexity.”
Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 — 91 Points, Silver:
“Honey, dusty apricots, nutty and caramel with burnt orange, citrus notes underneath. Sultana, cinnamon and long coating finish.”
Revista de Vinhos — 17.5/20 (as supplied)
International Wine Challenge — Gold Medal, 2016 (as supplied)
The Wine Detective (Decanter tasting):
“This 20-Year-Old Tawny Port showcases producer and sub-region (Baixo Corgo) perfectly. It’s very spicy, with zingy grapefruit marmalade, making for a lightness of spirit. Peanut brittle and smokier roast hazelnut bring savoury undertones. Lovely freshness and spicy persistence.”
Alves de Sousa (winery notes):
“Amber in color. Large concentration and complexity, full of spices, herbs and caramel notes. Beautifully refined by time, expresses the beauty of maturity.”
Nose
Amber. Brown sugar, honey, dusty apricot, hazelnut, and Christmas nuts, with dried fig, dates, burnt orange, grapefruit marmalade, and a touch of varnish.
Palate
Long, fresh, and flavorful, with caramel, spice, herbs, sultana, and cinnamon, roast hazelnut, and fresh acidity.
Finish
Long and coating, with spice, nuts, and a savory edge.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Aged Tawny Port — 20 Years |
| Appellation | Porto, Douro Valley, Portugal |
| Varieties | 30+ native old-vine varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão |
| Producer | Alves de Sousa — Tiago Alves de Sousa |
| Sources | Quinta da Gaivosa (Baixo Corgo) and Quinta de Oliveirinha (Cima Corgo) |
| Aging | Average 20 years in old French oak casks |
| ABV | 19.5% |
| Critics | James Suckling 92 · Robert Parker 90 · Decanter World Wine Awards 91 (Silver, 2024) · Revista de Vinhos 17.5/20 · IWC Gold 2016 |
| Style / Identity | A fresh, spicy, nutty, balanced 20-year-old tawny with a touch of varnish |
| Aromas & Flavors | Honey, dried apricot, hazelnut, caramel, burnt orange, fig, spice |
| Serving Temperature | 12–15°C |
| Bottle Size | 500ml |
Serve slightly chilled, at about 12-15°C, in a small tulip glass; an open bottle keeps for several weeks if stored cool.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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