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

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:
Leyenda NV Pedro Ximenez Sherry Jerez de la Frontera
93 points
$18.99
Leyenda
NV Pedro Ximenez Sherry Jerez de la Frontera
Violet color. Aromas and flavors of mashed raisins and prunes and chocolate nuts with a bright, sweet medium-full body and a subtle, long finish that presents notes of fig paste, mincemeat pie, and baklava with no oak flavor. A rich and toothsome PX Sherry with great length and depth.
93 points $18.99
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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:
Peachy Canyon NV Port Zinfandel
92 points
$32
Peachy Canyon
NV Port Zinfandel
Dark burnt sienna color. Aromas of molasses-drizzled dates, dried figs, ground pepper, and tobacco with a round, lively, very sweet medium body and a peppery, elegant, long flourless chocolate cake, caramel latte, red licorice, orange marmalade, vanilla fudge, and candied nuts finish with moderate oak flavor. An absolutely delicious companion to blue cheese or chocolates.
92 points $32
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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:
Samson Estates NV Framboise Raspberry Dessert Wine Puget Sound
91 points
$15
Samson Estates
NV Framboise Raspberry Dessert Wine Puget Sound
Brown brick red color. Aromas and flavors of fresh crushed and baked raspberries and hint of cacao nib with an bright, sweet full body and a refreshing, medium-long finish evoking suggestions of honeyed dried berries and dates, nuts, and hint of peppery brandy with fine, chewy, fruit tannins. A rather serious, concentrated and liqueur-like raspberry wine that will be great in kirs.
91 points $15
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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:
Samson Estates NV BLU Blueberry Dessert Wine Puget Sound
90 points
$16
Samson Estates
NV BLU Blueberry Dessert Wine Puget Sound
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of spicy blueberry chutney and cinnamon candy with a bright, moderately sweet medium body and an intriguing, medium-long finish that shows accents of plum custard tart and brown spice tea with well-integrated, dusty tannins. A plush, spicy dessert wine with lots of purity and personality.
90 points $16
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Date Tasted:
Falkner 2015 Field Blend Port South Coast
90 points
$39.95
Falkner
2015 Field Blend Port South Coast
Brown brick red color. Aromas of dried figs and strawberries, quince paste, and persimmon with a slightly chewy, lively, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long spiced apple and toffee finish with moderate oak flavor. An excellently balanced Port-style wine that will be divine with cheese.
90 points $39.95
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Date Tasted: