The Symington family calls their Warre's label "the original British Port House." Pulling grapes from several superb quintas - Cavadinha, Retiro, Telhada - winemaker Charles Symington's family has been at it for five generations. The company itself was founded in the 1600s. They recently declared 2017 as a vintage Port year, just like 2016. It was the first such back-to-back declaration in the 130+ years the Symingtons have been in charge.
I was supplied with samples of several Warre's Ports, and they should be on your radar, especially with "Port weather" expected to arrive - at some point. Where I live, in Southern California, it's never really "Port weather," so I drink it whenever I like. These wines are fantastic examples of why Port is such a damn pleasure to drink.
Warre's Heritage Ruby Porto
Aged for an average of three years in used oak barrels before being blended, filtered and bottled, Warre's Heritage Ruby Porto is a beautiful Portuguese wine at a great price. It carries 19% alcohol and sells for around $15.
This beautiful Port shows a nose of ripe, red fruit, syrup and smoke. The palate is young and playful, boasting currant and berries with a viscous mouthfeel and a tannic structure that begs a great piece of cheese.
Warre's Fine White Porto
Warre's Fine White is produced from traditional white grape varieties grown in the Douro Valley - Arinto, Códega, Malvasia Fina, Rabigato and Viosinho. The winery explains that fermentation takes place "off the skins," which they say makes for a more delicate wine. Aging took place at lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia in a combination of oak casks and stainless steel tanks. The white also hits 19% abv and sells for about $15.
This white Port carries a golden tint and gorgeous nose of sweet caramel and stone fruit. The palate is sweet and fruity with almond notes and a ton of acidity. It makes a great aperitif or dessert, and will be a fine base for a cocktail. It even pairs well with potato dishes, cheese and guacamole.
Warre’s Warrior
The oldest mark of Port in the world, Warre's Warrior has shipped continuously since the 1750's, with the name branded on the casks.
It is made from grapes grown in quintas in the Pinhão and Rio Torto valleys. The finest barrels are set aside by winemaker
Peter Symington for aging in the lodges at Vila Nova de Gaia.
Alcohol in Warrior is a touch higher than in their Ruby, at 20% abv. It sells for $46.
This Port wine is inky indigo in the glass. Its nose conveys dark, ripe fruit with an overlay of leather and tobacco. The palate is rich and dark with a firm tannic structure and a pleasantly long finish.
Otima 10-Year-Old Tawny Port
Warre's Otima 10 Year-Old-Tawny balances youthful fruit with a decade in seasoned wood. All that time in oak turns the ruby hue to a brownish color and makes the palate more delicate. Warre's also makes an Otima 20-year Port. Otima 10 hits 20% abv and retails for $32.
The nose on this tawny Port is so full of raisins and hot caramel it can mean nothing except dessert. The palate reaffirms that feeling, with a sweet taste which brings a little savory along for the ride. There's enough acidity to make pairing possible, maybe with a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie.