// Historical Collection
Historical II 75cl / 1l
The Chestnut
// Historical II - The Chestnut
The Wine
This blend was carefully put together for this limited edition from specially selected Ports from Taylor Fladgate’s extensive aged Tawny stocks, aged in seasoned oak Port pipes.
Its character is unique for this bottling, with the characteristic Taylor Fladgate’s richness and with its distinctive grip on the finish.
The wine is a skilfully blended Tawny Port, harmonious and balanced, with all the intensity and finesse derived from ageing in seasoned oak casks.
// Historical II - The Chestnut
The Bottle
This bottle was inspired by the ‘chestnut’ shaped wine bottles manufactured in England between about 1715 and 1740. In Britain, where they were used mainly in the 1720s and early 1730s, ‘chestnut’ wine bottles were relatively unusual but their use in continental Europe was more widespread. The particular variant on which this limited edition bottle was based, with its narrow oval profile, is often described as having a ‘flat chestnut’ shape.
These ‘chestnut’ bottles usually held more wine than earlier ‘onion’ bottles or the more cylindrical types that followed them. Like this special edition bottle, by about 1730 full sized ‘chestnut’ bottles were made to hold around a litre of wine.
// Historical II - The Chestnut
Tasting Notes
A core of deep brick red fading to russet on the rim. A beautifully mature and complex nose, full of evocative, subtle nuances. Aromas of plum, fig and sultana blend with a mellow redolence of marzipan and butterscotch. Hints of cigar box, cedarwood and leather add an exotic dimension to the nose. The wine is seductively round and smooth with discreet, beautifully integrated tannins adding an attractive dryness and grip. The wine is full of rich, fruit cake flavours with some fresh plum character emerging on the long finish. A skilfully blended Tawny Port, harmonious and balanced, with all the intensity and finesse derived from ageing in seasoned oak casks.
Storage
The bottle should be kept upright, protected from light and at a cool and constant temperature. The particular qualities of this wine allow it to be enjoyed over an extended period of time once opened, without losing its freshness and vibrancy. Optimum drinking time after opening the bottle is two months.
Serving
The wine benefits from being served slightly chilled, between 12ºC to 16ºC. This wine is ready to drink and does not require decanting.
// How to Enjoy
Pairing Suggestions
A delicious dessert wine, and combines particularly well with flavours of almonds, berry fruit or dark chocolate. It can also be enjoyed as an accompaniment for rich, blue veined cheeses.
It is excellent at the end of the meal, as a crowning moment of an enjoyable evening, served on its own or with a plate of walnuts or roasted almonds.
// Historical II - The Chestnut
Press Reviews
A core of deep brick red fading to russet on the rim. A beautifully mature and complex nose, full of evocative, subtle nuances. Aromas of plum, fig and raisin blend with a mellow redolence of marzipan and butterscotch. Hints of cigar box, cedarwood and leather add an exotic dimension to the nose. The wine is seductively round and smooth with discreet, beautifully integrated tannins adding an attractive dryness and grip. The wine is full of rich, fruit cake flavors with some fresh plum character emerging on the long finish.
There's a slightly woody, even cheesy, note on the nose but it's sweet and generous – even pruney – on the palate with a bit of alcohol on the end. Lots of tannin still here. This is a vigorous wine that's long on sweetness and tannin compared with the 10-year-old tawnies, suggesting it's not enormously old, but I'm sure it would stand up well to all sorts of foods.
