Para Tawny, 1939 Tawny Port
Para Tawny Port 1939, Australia
B Seppelt and Sons, SA, Sweet Wine
1 pint and 6 fl oz (650ml)
Bottle size: 1 pint 6 fl oz (650ml)
ABV: 20%
Price:
£295.00
Description
The 1939 Para Tawny from B. Seppelt & Sons is an exceptionally rare and historic Australian fortified wine, drawn from one of the country’s most iconic and long-lived solera systems. Produced in the Barossa Valley at a time when the world was on the brink of the Second World War, this release is both a remarkable piece of winemaking heritage and a testament to the enduring legacy of Seppelt’s mastery in crafting fine, mature tawny styles. The generous and unusual vintage-stamped 1 pint & 6 fl oz (650ml) bottle format makes it even more unique and collectable.
In the glass, it displays a deep mahogany-brown core with glowing amber and olive-green highlights—hallmarks of extreme age in fortified wine. The bouquet is astonishingly complex, with layers of burnt toffee, molasses, and fig paste alongside roasted walnut, dark chocolate, and coffee bean. Notes of orange peel, Christmas cake spice, and a whisper of rancio (nutty, oxidative character) reflect its decades of patient cask ageing in Seppelt’s historic cellars.
On the palate, the 1939 Para Tawny is unctuous, concentrated, and deeply harmonious. Rich flavours of treacle, sultana, and candied citrus are balanced by vibrant acidity, which keeps the wine lively despite its extraordinary maturity. Savoury undertones of leather, espresso, and toasted almond add complexity, while the finish is seemingly endless—lingering for minutes with waves of spice, dried fruit, and sweet oak.
This is a fortified wine to savour in contemplative moments, served slightly cool in a small tulip glass to concentrate its aromas. It pairs beautifully with blue cheeses, roasted nuts, or rich desserts like chocolate torte or sticky date pudding, though many collectors will choose to enjoy it entirely on its own. The 1939 Para Tawny is not simply a drink—it is an unparalleled piece of Australian wine history, offering the chance to experience over eight decades of craftsmanship in a single, extraordinary glass.
Condition
Good level, Fragile perishing- remains of label
Vintage year not legible on label
ID from provenance/case