1923 Seppeltsfield Para Vintage Tawny

BY ANGUS HUGHSON | FEBRUARY 21, 2023

In 1878, Oscar Benno Seppelt started a long tradition for Seppeltsfield Para Tawny Ports when he put down his first fortified barrel destined for a century in the cellar before release. It is rare and one-of-a-kind, which explains the astronomical pricing, making it the most expensive wine in the country by volume. The unbroken line of vintages is a great tribute to the winery, which has not deviated in almost 150 years. There is, unfortunately, little known about fruit sourcing or grape varieties. All we know is that the fruit was entirely from South Australia and likely largely Grenache, Shiraz and potentially Mataro from the Barossa Valley, as that was traditional at the time. Vine age is also a mystery. Over time in barrel, everything is dialed up a notch as evaporation concentrates the flavor and structure, providing an incredibly unique experience.

Thick and viscous, this 100-year-old Seppeltsfield 1923 Para Vintage Tawny opens up with glorious aromas of antique furniture, wood polish, old leather, coffee grounds, espresso and cocoa beans. A deep, brooding, dark chocolate center offers a rush of sweet fruit. Despite its age, the 1923 retains unbelievable vibrancy showing all the qualities of a wine that could go on for decades. Then it displays a silky core of fruit with a strong backbone of acidity underlying spicy, old wood rancio and raisin before a long, bright and ethereal finish that, while sweet, almost finishes dry with extraordinary length. The 1923 is an Australian icon, a wine deserving of a perfect score. 100/Drink 2023-2040.

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