We’re thrilled to bring our Operatives today’s Prager Winery & Port Works 2013 Napa Valley Port. They’ve been making Port in Napa Valley for so long (since 1979) that they are one of the few California wineries that can proudly bear the name “Port”. This is the perfect introduction to Port and fortified wines. Some Ports are simply too sweet and drink like a dessert wine, but the Prager’s after 50 years of practice, have figured out how to strike the perfect balance, offering a more versatile Port that can be enjoyed with food, or any time you’d have a regular red wine.

Bright red with a vermilion lip, this Napa Port is surprisingly vibrant. It boasts a powerful nose that leans towards the ruby side with more raspberry, cassis, fruitcake, and anise than walnut and almond. Take a sip and then you find the tawny aspects with a delicious confection of amaretto, marzipan, pecan pie, toffee, and blackberry syrup. Yum! For a fortified wine, it’s not too hot, nor is it too sweet or viscous, making this port versatile enough to be enjoyed with food, dessert, or by itself. A selection of rich artisan fudges. Boom.

You may be aware that Port is usually a term that can only be used for wines from Porto, Portugal, the region that invented this decadent style of winemaking. That is true these days: Only the oldest United States’ Port works are grandfathered in and have been using the name so long they’re allowed to continue to do so. These Napa Valley artisans have been honing their craft for a long time. Do not miss out on today’s offer!

Here’s what the wine press has to say.

Gold Medal - Orange County Fair