Forty Year Old Tawny
500mL
This special Forty Year Old Rare Tawny is a testament to the rich history and evolution of McLaren Vale. This wine has evolved gracefully in barrel, resulting in a masterpiece of richness, lusciousness and concentration of flavour. Each sip of this rare tawny is a connection to the past, present and future of Yangarra, encapsulating the essence of McLaren Vale’s winemaking heritage. Available exclusively in our cellar door and online wine shop.
HISTORY
In the early 1990s, the Torresan family shifted focus from winemaking to building their contract packaging business. During the previous three decades, they had crafted a variety of boutique table and fortified wines, including a fortified blend made from McLaren Vale staples —Grenache, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. A portion of these grapes were harvested in 1981 from what is now the Yangarra Estate Vineyard. Four barrels of this special blend were stored in the underground cellars of the Torresan's Happy Valley winery that made their way home to Yangarra, forming the base of this Forty Year Old Tawny.
WINEMAKING
The fortification process involved adding spirit halfway through the primary fermentation when the wine was still rich with alcohol and fruity sweetness. This addition of spirit halts the yeast activity, stopping the wine’s development. Over the next forty years, the wine aged in small barrels, allowing extended oxidative aging, which gradually developed a deep brown, tawny colour and complex profile of leathery, nutty, and spicy characteristics. The Yangarra Forty Year Old Rare Tawny stands as a testament to patience and the art of traditional winemaking.
Tasting Notes
Technical
