2004 Dutschke Old Codger Tawny Port

(Content for this article has been provided by Brenda Dutschke)

Rated 90 points – The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker 2006

‘His non-vintage Old Codger Fine Old Tawny is basically a 7-year old solera that resembles a Portuguese tawny port, but with a sweeter, more up-front fruit. It exhibits hints of molasses and jammy strawberry/berry fruit in addition to well-integrated alcohol (about 18%)’

My first job after completing high school was working in an old cellar in the Barossa Valley filling and stacking port barrels with an “Old Codger” (old man). Each day the two of us would finish work with a glass of port and share a few stories. What a civilized way to finish the day!

Over recent years I have put together a Solera of old fortified wines. It is from this Solera that I have prepared the blend of tawny port that I call “Old Codger”.

“Old Codger” tawny is a blend of wines from both Langhorne Creek and the Barossa Valley and has an average age of 8 years. The port shows great complexity and has much rancio butterscotch like flavours a result of blending my older fortifieds with the younger fresher components.

Blending using a Solera system gives consistency to the style and quality from year to year. A wonderful combination of flavours!

Dutschke Old Codger Tawny Port

Winemaker: Wayne Dutschke
Vineyard: Unknown
Region: 80% Langhorne Creek, 20% Barossa Valley

Varieties: Verdelho, Grenache, Shiraz, Palomino, Frontignac and Muscadelle
Alcohol: 18.0%
Oak Maturation: An average of 8 years in Old Oak Puncheons and smaller oak barrels
Cellaring potential: Best consumed on a cold winters night with a good mate.

Will show it’s best within 18 months of bottling