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About Fortified Wines

A fortified wine is one in which a neutral alcoholic spirit or grape brandy has been added to increase the alcoholic level. Famous examples include port, sherry and vermouth.

When the brandy or neutral spirit is added, alcohol increased from 14% to a level between 18% to 20%, taking them out of the table wine category. Fortified wines in many countries are thus taxed at a higher rate than table wines.

Top Picks for Fortified Wines

Mount Pleasant Estates NV Tawny Port Library Volume XX Augusta, Missouri
95 points
$58
Mount Pleasant Estates
NV Tawny Port Library Volume XX Augusta, Missouri
Medium steely amber color. Aromas of candied walnut, soy sauce, pecans, and brine with a fat body and a polished, layered, medium-long white peppercorn, marzipan, sesame oil, butterscotch, and burnt honey finish with no oak flavor. A sweet, savory and nutty Port-style Fortified Wine; well-balanced and perfect to elevate all kinds of dessert pairings.
95 points $58
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Date Tasted:
Anthony Lee’s NV Raspberry Spirit Fortified Wine Maine
93 points
$11
Anthony Lee’s
NV Raspberry Spirit Fortified Wine Maine
Indigo color. Aromas and flavors of mixed berry sauce on buttered pancakes and rocky road ice cream with an tangy, sweet medium-to-full body and an interesting, long finish with accents of black raspberry jam and nougat with a suggestion of oak flavor. A pure and decadent berry forward fortified wine with great flavor and structure.
93 points $11
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Date Tasted:
Grande River Vineyards NV Ruby Port Grand Valley
92 points
$24.99
Grande River Vineyards
NV Ruby Port Grand Valley
Deep purple color. Jammy aromas of palo santo, licorice, blueberry, and macerated strawberries with a velvety, lively, fruity sweet medium-to-full body and a smooth, complex, long chocolate biscuit, raisin, cinnamon, cumin, peppermint, and chocolate mousse finish with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. Spice reigns is the distinctive Port-style wine with a symphonic, traveling finish.
92 points $24.99
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Date Tasted:
Pedroncelli 2014 Four Grapes Vintage Port Dry Creek Valley
91 points
$28
Pedroncelli
2014 Four Grapes Vintage Port Dry Creek Valley
Black garnet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of raisins, dried apricot, cinnamon-sugar, coffee candies, nutmeg, blood orange, star anise, and toffee with a satiny, vibrant, sweet medium body and a warming, layered, long finish. A bright and balanced Port-style wine that is sure to please the after-dinner crowd.
91 points $28
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Date Tasted:
Porto Meneres NV 20 Years Old Douro
90 points
$49.99
Porto Meneres
NV 20 Years Old Douro
Brown brick red color. Aromas of salted caramel, butterscotch, dried orange, sun dried tomato, and toasted coconut with a round, lively, sweet medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-long cocoa butter, blood orange flesh, spiced lemon cookies, sweet toffee with hazelnuts, and espresso crema finish with light oak flavor. A tasty, caramelly 20 Year Tawny Porto that will finish the meal in style.
90 points $49.99
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Date Tasted:
DH Lescombes NV Ratafia
90 points
$28
DH Lescombes
NV Ratafia
Pale golden yellow color. Aromas of orange blossom, ripe canary melon, lychee, jasmine, and asian pear with a velvety, crisp, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length sugared peach, elderflower, and fruit salad finish with no oak flavor. A rich and unctuous dessert offering with bold fruit and floral aromas; a luxurious choice for Moscato lovers.
90 points $28
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Date Tasted:
St. Clair Winery NV Special Reserve Kiva New Mexico
90 points
$28
St. Clair Winery
NV Special Reserve Kiva New Mexico
Dark amber color. Aromas and flavors of peach liqueur, rich caramel, bananas foster, hazelnut confection, and pumpkin pie with pecans with a satiny, vibrant, sweet medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish with elements of persimmon with moderate oak flavor. A distinctively nutty and warming fortified wine with a top note of vibrant peach aromas.
90 points $28
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Date Tasted:
Quady NV Starboard Batch 88 Madera County
89 points
$25
Quady
NV Starboard Batch 88 Madera County
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of saddle leather, floral spiced berries, orange agave marmalade, and peanut and pumpkin seed brittle with a satiny, vibrant, moderately sweet medium-to-full body and a peppery, engaging, medium-long finish with notes of crystallized ginger, sassafras, cherry cola, and pink pepper. A vibrant young fortified wine that will be very versatile; try on ice cream or in cocktails.
89 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Porto Meneres NV 10 Years Old Douro
89 points
$34.99
Porto Meneres
NV 10 Years Old Douro
Burnt sienna color. Aromas of salted Marcona almonds, dried leaves, allspice, clove, caramel, butterscotch, and dried peach with a satiny, vibrant, sweet medium body and an effortless, compelling, medium-long vanilla-almond bark finish with moderate oak flavor. A satisfying 10-Year Tawny Port with delicate spice and the rich caramelly notes you crave.
89 points $34.99
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Date Tasted:
Mount Pleasant Winery 2008 10 Year Old Port Meunch
89 points
$90
Mount Pleasant Winery
2008 10 Year Old Port Meunch
Golden amber color. Aromas of brown sugar, blended rum, candied orange, spice cake, and crystalized ginger with a round, vibrant, fruity sweet medium body and a warming, delightful, medium-long salted nuts, caramel-covered bananas, apricot pastry, and spiced pineapple finish. An after-dinner wine for rum lovers; a distinctive and delicious treat.
89 points $90
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Date Tasted: