{"title":"Pocas Junior","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"pocas-junior-20-year-tawny-port","title":"Pocas Junior 20 Year Tawny Port","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePocas Junior 20 Year Tawny Port\u003c\/strong\u003e is a multi-vintage blended tawny Port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator, this expression showcases the depth and refinement that two decades of oak maturation can achieve from one of the Douro's most established family producers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  20 Year Old Tawny Port  |  Producer: Poças Júnior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoças Júnior was founded in 1918 and remains one of the few family-owned Port houses in the Douro. The grapes — a field blend of 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Roriz, and 30% other traditional varieties including Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão — are hand-harvested in small 30-kilogram trays to preserve fruit integrity. After controlled fermentation with extended maceration, the wine is fortified with grape brandy and transferred to oak casks for long-term aging. The 20 Year designation reflects a judicious blend of superior old tawny lots drawn from numerous harvests across different decades, married together to achieve a consistent average age of twenty years. This multi-vintage blending philosophy gives the house considerable flexibility to balance freshness against oxidative depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with elegant dried fruit — raisin, fig, and candied orange peel — before giving way to roasted hazelnut and a subtle Earl Grey tea character. A thread of warm caramel ties the aromatics together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On entry, sweet red fruits and brown sugar provide immediate richness. The mid-palate develops real complexity: toffee, singed sesame, salted caramel, and ginger beer–like spice streak across the tongue. A backbone of firm acidity keeps the sweetness balanced and energetic rather than cloying, with hints of wood aging adding structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and smooth with a velvety texture, trailing off into soft toffee, dark cocoa, and roasted nut. Coffee and sweet spice linger well after the final sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Pocas 20 Year Tawny\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Port is at its best slightly chilled to around 14–16°C and served neat in a small tulip glass, which concentrates the layered aromatics. It also performs well over a single large ice cube on warm evenings. For cocktails, try it in a \u003cstrong\u003eTawny Cobbler\u003c\/strong\u003e — the dried fruit and nut character pairs naturally with citrus and crushed ice. A \u003cstrong\u003ePort Old Fashioned\u003c\/strong\u003e (substituting a portion of the whiskey with this tawny) adds caramel depth and lowers the proof for a more sessionable drink. It also works beautifully in a \u003cstrong\u003eWhite Negroni riff\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its oxidative sweetness replaces sweet vermouth for an unexpected twist on the classic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter-dinner sipping alongside a cheese board with aged Gouda or Stilton\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Port enthusiast or wine collector exploring aged tawny expressions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHoliday entertaining where a single impressive bottle can anchor the dessert course\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a Port library to compare 10, 20, and 30 Year age designations side by side\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Pocas 20 Year Tawny taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It leads with sweet dried fruit and toffee, then develops into roasted hazelnut, salted caramel, ginger spice, and cocoa, all held in check by bright acidity. The texture is velvety and the finish is long and smooth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Pocas 20 Year Tawny compare to Sandeman 20 Year Tawny Port?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both sit in a similar quality tier for aged tawny, but Pocas tends to lean toward a richer dried-fruit and nut profile, while Sandeman 20 Year is often described as slightly more citrus-forward and lighter in body. Pocas earned 94 points from Wine Spectator, placing it among the higher-scoring 20 Year tawnies on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Pocas 20 Year Tawny good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — the two decades of oak aging produce a smooth, complex Port that rewards slow, contemplative sipping without any need for dilution or mixing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Pocas 20 Year Tawny made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Poças Júnior, a family-owned Port house founded in 1918, with vineyards and aging cellars in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Pocas 20 Year Tawny?\u003c\/strong\u003e Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Parmigiano-Reggiano complement its nutty side. Blue cheeses such as Roquefort mirror the sweet-savory balance. Crème brûlée and flan echo the caramel and toffee notes. Roasted almonds or walnut tarts reinforce the nutty character. Dark chocolate truffles bring out the cocoa on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Pocas 20 Year Tawny come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Pocas 20 Year Tawny worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a premium aged tawny that competes favorably with better-known houses at the 20 Year level, and its 94-point Wine Spectator rating and Silver medal from the Decanter World Wine Awards suggest strong value relative to peers in this age category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Pocas 20 Year Tawny?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 94-point Wine Spectator score — which highlighted its \"energetic feel\" and layered notes of ginger beer, Earl Grey tea, and salted caramel — places this among the top-rated 20 Year tawnies currently available. Poças Júnior's century-plus track record as an independent family house means the blending decisions here are driven by tradition rather than corporate volume targets. The mashbill of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz provides a serious structural backbone that holds up across twenty years of oxidative aging. For anyone stepping up from a 10 Year tawny and seeking genuine complexity without moving to the significantly higher cost of a 30 or 40 Year designation, this expression occupies a rewarding sweet spot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pocas Junior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837819383977,"sku":"5057","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Pocas-Junior-20-Year-Tawny-Port__01533.jpg?v=1730495903"},{"product_id":"pocas-junior-vintage-port-2016","title":"Pocas Junior Vintage Port 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePocas Junior Vintage Port 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e is a full-bodied Vintage Port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 19.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 96 points by \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e and named #30 on their Top 100 list of 2018, this vintage earned its reputation as one of the standout declarations from an exceptional Douro harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 19.5%  |  Origin: Douro Demarcated Region, Portugal  |  2016 Vintage  |  Winery: Poças Junior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoças Junior, founded in 1918 in the Douro Valley, remains one of the few family-owned Port houses in the region. The 2016 Vintage Port is produced from a traditional field blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca — the backbone varieties of premium Port wine. Grapes were foot-trodden in granitic stone lagares, a labor-intensive method that many winemakers and critics believe extracts deeper, more nuanced flavors than mechanical alternatives. Following fermentation and fortification, the wine aged for approximately six months in wood and sixteen months in stainless steel before bottling, preserving primary fruit intensity while developing structural complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with great aromatic intensity — floral top notes give way to layers of ripe black fruit, fig, and blackberry jam. Deeper breaths reveal dark cherry and a subtle, toasty undertone reminiscent of singed applewood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On entry, the palate is densely textured and unctuous, with blackberry compote, plum cake, and prune flavors dominating the mid-palate. Espresso and melted black licorice emerge as the wine develops, supported by dusty, well-integrated tannins. The overall impression is silky and balanced despite the considerable concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and persistent, carrying forward dark fruit and bittersweet cocoa notes. A gentle warmth from the fortification lingers without harshness, tapering into dried fig and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Poças Vintage Port\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C (61–64°F) — in a small tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromatics. This is a Port that rewards patient sipping on its own, though a splash of water can open up additional nuance. For cocktails, it works well in a \u003cstrong\u003ePort Cobbler\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its dense fruit character stands up to citrus and crushed ice; a \u003cstrong\u003ePorto Flip\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the egg yolk and nutmeg complement the wine's espresso and plum richness; and a \u003cstrong\u003ePort Negroni\u003c\/strong\u003e variation, substituting for sweet vermouth to add deeper, darker fruit weight to the classic build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a wine collector who values critically acclaimed Douro Ports\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter-dinner sipping alongside a cheese course or dessert\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring for long-term aging — Vintage Ports from 2016 have decades of development ahead\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarking a milestone occasion connected to the 2016 vintage year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Poças Vintage Port 2016 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers rich, concentrated flavors of blackberry compote, plum cake, and espresso, layered over dusty tannins with a silky, elegant mouthfeel and a long finish tinged with dark chocolate and fig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Poças Vintage Port 2016 compare to Dow's Vintage Port 2016?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are highly regarded declarations from the 2016 vintage; Dow's received 98 points from \u003cem\u003eWine Spectator\u003c\/em\u003e and tends toward a more structured, powerful profile, while Poças earned 96 points from \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e and leans toward silky elegance and aromatic intensity. The Poças typically positions at a more accessible price point within the Vintage Port category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Poças Vintage Port 2016 good for cellaring?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — Vintage Ports are made to age, and the 2016 vintage is widely considered exceptional in the Douro, meaning this wine should continue to develop complexity for twenty years or more with proper storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Poças Vintage Port 2016 made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Poças Junior, a family-owned Port house founded in 1918, located in the Douro Demarcated Region of northern Portugal — the world's oldest officially demarcated wine region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Poças Vintage Port 2016?\u003c\/strong\u003e Stilton or Roquefort blue cheese amplifies the wine's dark fruit; dark chocolate truffles complement the espresso and cocoa notes; walnut cake echoes the nutty undertones; roasted figs mirror the dried-fruit character; and cured duck breast provides a savory counterpoint to the wine's sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Poças Vintage Port 2016 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Poças Vintage Port 2016 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a premium Vintage Port that punches above its weight — a 96-point score and Top 100 recognition from \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e place it alongside declarations from houses that often command significantly higher prices, making it a strong value within the declared vintage category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Poças Vintage Port 2016?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 96-point score and #30 placement on \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast's\u003c\/em\u003e Top 100 of 2018 establish this as one of the most critically celebrated releases from Poças Junior in recent memory. Traditional foot-treading in granite lagares — a method increasingly rare even among premium Port houses — gives the wine a textural depth and extraction that mechanical processing struggles to replicate. The 2016 vintage in the Douro was marked by ideal growing conditions that produced wines of exceptional concentration and balance, and Poças captured that vintage character with a blend of the region's four most important red varieties. For collectors and serious Port drinkers, it represents a compelling intersection of heritage winemaking, critical acclaim, and long-term aging potential.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pocas Junior","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837819416745,"sku":"9655","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Pocas-Junior-Vintage-Port-2016__46560.jpg?v=1730495907"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/pocas-junior.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}