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finding a tawny 40 year at a local store is rare, and when i do the bottling date often has me concerned. would a noval 40 year no longer be worth purchase if it was bottled in 2004?

thanks!

Tawnies do age in bottle, though whether or not they improve while doing so is oft debated. Blended tawnies such as the 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-yr olds generally don't age as well as Colheitas.

I have 40-yr olds that were bottled in 2006-2008 and I think they're holding up very nicely in no small part because I've owned them since approximately 2008 so I know how they've been stored. I'm not sure I'd purchase a 2004 bottle at retail prices since the provenance would be suspect in all but the best retail stores. Standing upright on a top shelf where it's warmer isn't the best storage conditions even for a 40-yr old tawny.

its storage indeed is another concern of mine. i frequent this wine store, and the bottle just recently showed up on the shelf. my general rule for 20 years is not to buy if it was bottled more than 2-3 years ago, but i am hoping maybe a 40 year has a larger window.

i have not read anywhere that a tawny improves in the bottle. only that they should be drank as close to the bottling date as possible. it's just that noval is a family favorite and this is the first time i've seen it in 40 year. but 8-9 years old has me very nervous.

Colheitas can improve with age in bottle, Niepoorts in particular. But most Colheitas can, at least for some years.

The common wisdom that a tawny should be consumed as close to the bottling date as possible is more marketing than need. 3-5 years for a 20-yr old is fine for my taste, and as previously mentioned I have 40-yr olds that have been in bottle 7 years and are still going strong.

They do change a bit with time in bottle, but to me that change can be an improvement. I like a mellower, smoother tawny and that's what age in bottle does to them at least for a few years.

That said, the Noval 40 is already a mellower and smoother tawny to start with, so 8-9 years in a suspect environment would make me nervous. I have 2 left from 2006 that I need to drink soon because I get the feeling that they're approaching their limit. You might ask the store about and explain your concern - they might offer you a discount since the bottle is so old.

Or depending on where you are, the store might offer a refund if you buy and open straight away and find that you're unhappy with the contents. I'm not sure where you're based, but the UK supermarkets will do this as a matter of routine.

Would have to be really cheap (40-50% retail) for me to consider buying that bottle. I like tawny is fresh bottled as possible.