NV Ramos Pinto Tawny Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 yrs

QUINTA DO BOM RETIRO was bought in 1919 by the founder of the company, Adriano Ramos Pinto. This Quinta is more than 100 years old and it’s located in the sub-region of Cima Corgo, near Pinhão, in the Douro and it is washed by the waters of the river Torto. It covers a total surface area of 110 ha, which vary between an altitude of 110 and 400 metres. 62 ha of this Quinta is planted to vines with an average age of 40 years. We have planted only local grape varieties. This Quinta has been used as experimental field to study the best plantation technique suited to the terroir of the Douro. Vineyards have been planted in the traditional terraces and in patamares, but vertical planting (“vinha ao alto”) is also used. The grapes from Quinta do Bom Retiro produce elegant and complex wines with great ageing potential.

Elegant, rich, complex. Oldest wine in the blend: 1924. With consistent accolades.

Winemaker notes

A tawny color with a yellow halo that signifies an advanced stage of maturity. This is the genuine color of a 20 year-old cask-aged wine. It has a warm red color with a slight orange tone at the bottom of the glass. A lively aroma with a velvety texture. Fruit aromas: grapefruit, apricot, almond, hazelnut and cocoa bean. Wood aromas: vanilla, old Port wine casks and phenol. Roasted aromas: cinnamon, caramel, coffee. Ethereal aromas: stearin and iodine. Smooth and dry in the mouth, complemented by a rich and generous persistence of flavor. A fine and delicious attack. The elegance of the first contact with the palate is maintained through a complex sequence of ripe and dried fruits and nuts in a fresh and liquorice-like harmony.

Tasting notes

Wine Advocate 93: The NV RP 20 Year Old Tawny Port Quinta do Bom Retiro is a single-quinta Tawny coming in with 126 grams of residual sugar and a bar-top cork. It was bottled in February 2020. This seems pretty much on track for what the brand normally shows, but it is especially enticing right now. It shows power, depth and spice. There are classic hints of caramel and a fresh feel. That wonderful freshness is what really sells this elegant Tawny and makes it irresistible. It is impeccably balanced. The lift to the fruit gives this some extra juiciness on the bright finish. On opening, it was a bit more ponderous, but it really woke up a couple of days later. This is pricey for a 20 Year, but it is certainly a terrific one. As always, the end-date drinking window is just a placeholder—these are very resistant and age indefinitely if there is no cork problem, although they are ready on release and do not need aging.

Decanter 94: Displaying a dedication to their old vines and single vineyard terroir, this 20-year-old tawny from Quinta Born Retiro is generous and contemplative. The melding of fruit and oak aromatics are well balanced with dried apricot, raisins and honey, mingling with notes of cinnamon, burnt sugar and Madagascar vanilla beans. The palate is cool, and a nutty richness is given over to caramel, gingerbread, rum raisins and Christmas spices. The finish lingers on for what feels like a solid 5 minutes. Bottled in 2017.

Wine Enthusiast 93: Dark ruby with tawny gold highlights, this intense wine comes from Ramos-Pinto's Bom Retiro estate. It is dried raisins, toffee with beautifully integrated spirit and acidity. It's a rich wine, with some sweetness that is freshened with the final acidity. Like any tawny, drink now.