Vintage Ports mature in bottle and should be decanted to remove the natural sediment deposited by the wine and to allow the aromas developed during ageing to express themselves.

How long does Port last in decanter?

A simple Tawny Port usually has a reusable cork and can last for 2 months after opening if kept cool. Vintage Ports are aged for less than 2 years before being transferred to bottle (so like a wine, very little exposure or resilience to oxygen) where they can age for another 20 - 30 years (sometimes longer).

What Port must be decanted?

Typically, Vintage Port less than 20 years old should be decanted for 2 hours more more before drinking. Vintage Port less than 10 years old requires more oxidation and should be decanted for three or four hours.