Poças 10 Year Old Tawny Port

Very classic Tawny Port, here. Seductive and elegant with heady aromas of dried fruits, fresh figs, raisins and apricot. Nutty, herbal and sweetly spiced, this is irresistibly rich and as good as we have tasted 10yr Tawny. I secretly enjoy it slightly chilled as a luxurious aperitif, but of course this is a dream pairing with Stilton, blue veined French cheese, or a treacle tart.

Poças is one of the few 100% family-owned Port houses left – and a rather special one at that. Founded in 1918 by the determined Manoel Domingues Poças Júnior, the story began with grape juice and ambition. Manoel, then just 30, poured his knowledge (and plenty of footwork – quite literally trekking 700m to his beloved estate) into the business, eventually releasing his first Vintage Port in 1962. The company’s roots still lie in Vila Nova de Gaia, with its original headquarters and impressive cellar.

Fast-forward to today, and the fourth generation is at the helm. Maria Manuel Maia, who took over in 2020, has not only preserved her family’s fortified legacy but also expanded its horizons. Since the '90s, Poças has turned heads with its range of dry red, white and orange wines under the "Fora da Série" label – showcasing just how versatile Douro wines can be.

Poças now manages three key Douro estates: Quinta das Quartas (Baixo Corgo), the winemaking hub complete with a 19th-century granite winery; Quinta de Vale de Cavalos (Upper Douro), famed for its altitude, schist-granite soils, and dry farming innovation; and Quinta de Santa Bárbara (Upper Corgo), known for its old vines, LBV and Vintage Port potential – and its charming walled orange grove.

Sustainability is more than a buzzword here. Maria has embraced integrated farming practices, earning certifications for two of their key regions. A century in, Poças continues to blend heritage, innovation and respect for terroir – with no sign of slowing down.