Port and Sherry, among others, have symbolized dignity and solidarity, and sometimes secrecy, in European history, literature, and everyday life for centuries. In particular, Port wine frequently appears in the stories of novelist Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' series, indirectly revealing the lifestyle and atmosphere of the British upper class. In 'The Adventure of the Abbey Grange,' one of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Port wine serves as a key clue in solving the case.
The case begins when Sir Brackenstall is found murdered in his home. On the scene were a partially empty bottle of Port wine and three glasses. The victim's wife and maid stated, "Three robbers broke in, killed my husband, and calmly drank the Port wine." However, the fact that only one of the three glasses contained sediment (beeswing) from the Port wine piqued detective Holmes's interest. In reality, only two glasses were used, and the third one was for staging. Holmes deduced that the crime had been fabricated, and after investigating, he uncovered that Lady Brackenstall and the maid had staged the scene to protect the real culprit.
The Sherlock Holmes series is set in late 19th to early 20th century England. In another Sherlock Holmes story, 'The Sign of Four,' there is a scene where Holmes toasts with Port wine with his companions before solving a case. At that time, Port wine represented a cultural code associated with success, solidarity, socializing, and dignity.
Port and Sherry originated from the traditions of Portugal and Spain, but the role of 17th century British traders was significant in establishing and promoting them globally. To prevent the oxidation of wine during long sea transport, brandy was added, forming the modern fortified style. Especially, as a style emphasizing sweetness and body to suit British tastes developed, fortified wine became part of upper-class culture in Europe.
After the mid-19th century, British immigrants moved to Australia, bringing the fortified wine style with them. British physician William Thomas Angove settled in Tea Tree Gully, South Australia, in 1886 and began planting vines as a hobby. Initially, he produced medicinal wine for patient treatment, which became the starting point for Angove Family Winemakers, one of the oldest family-operated wineries in Australia.
Starting in 1910, the Angove family fully entered the wine business. They established the St. Agnes distillery and grape processing plants in Riverland and McLaren Vale. The South Australia region, with over 300 days of sunshine a year, large temperature variations, and a hot, dry climate, provides an excellent environment for growing grapes with thick skins and abundant sweetness and structure. It has ideal conditions for producing fortified wine. At that time, the Australian wine industry was also centered on fortified wines like Port and Sherry, and Angove quickly gained a reputation.
Angove's 'Rare Tawny 25 Years' is a work that encapsulates the winery's aging philosophy. Tawny is a type of Port wine that undergoes oxidation during decades of aging in oak barrels rather than bottle aging. As aging progresses, the wine changes color from ruby to amber to brown. The flavors deepen with notes of nuts, dried fruits, caramel, and honey.
Rare Tawny 25 Years indicates an average aging period of 25 years. The oldest wine dates back to 1971. Based on grapes harvested in Riverland during the 1970s and 80s, it is long-aged in the cellars of Tea Tree Gully and then blended in a Solera method back in the Riverland's Renmark region. Solera is a system of blending wines from multiple years for extended aging.
This wine is aged in small, old American and French oak barrels, including those used for brandy at the St. Agnes distillery. Based on the main variety Grenache, it is blended with white Frontignan, Pedro Ximenes, and Muscat Gordo to achieve a complex and aromatic character. It is stored in the hottest upper barrel layers of the wine cellar to ensure a rich spice aroma and the deep concentration typical of oxidative aging.
Rare Tawny 25 Years exhibits a deep red color, rich aromas of nuts and vanilla, and a long and intense finish of deep raisins and roasted nuts, capturing a lengthy aging time in a glass. It can be aged an additional 10 years, and it is recommended to be consumed within 12 months after opening. It pairs well with cheese, dried fruits, nuts, and rich desserts.
Rare Tawny 25 Years won the top award in the 'Best of 2025' institutional sector for fortified wines at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards 2025. The domestic import is managed by Hansan W&B.