The world’s oldest continually operating library of vintage fortified wine, Australia’s Seppeltsfield, has unveiled its latest release: the 1925 Para Vintage Tawny. This release marks the 48th consecutive annual launch of a 100-year-old tawny, continuing a tradition started by Oscar ‘Benno’ Seppelt in 1878 when he laid down a barrel of vintage fortified wine with a 100-year maturation directive.
The new release coincides with the anniversary of the Seppelt family moving to Seppeltsfield in 1851. The estate remains the home of the Seppeltsfield Centennial Collection, featuring wines that have aged for at least 100 years in oak barrels before being served to the public.
Originally, the first Para Tawny was a single 500-litre puncheon, but inventory levels were expanded in the late 1970s to four puncheons per vintage. In recent years, under the ownership of Warren Randal since 2009, eight puncheons have been preserved for each vintage release, although the 1925 vintage was limited to a single puncheon, with approximately 150 litres remaining today due to evaporation.
Seppeltsfield’s chief winemaker, Fiona Donald, closely monitors these historic wines. During an inventory 18 months ago, she noted the exceptional quality of the 1925 vintage, stating, “It’s a wow wine.” The flavors are robust, showcasing bold notes of coffee and molasses, melded with hints of wild honey. The taste is unexpectedly vibrant for a wine of such age, highlighting complexity with a refreshing acidity amidst its rich character.
The mid-palate reveals a layered intensity of fruit cake, marked by flavors like brandied raisins and various nuts, alongside a touch of Seville orange peel that balances the sweetness with a slight bitterness. The blend consists of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, all of which have deepened in color, presenting an alluring mahogany with an amber rim.
In contrast to previous vintages, the 1925 release offers unique flavor profiles; for instance, the 1922 vintage is noted for its darker, savory tones, while the 1923 vintage is characterized by fruitiness reminiscent of Christmas pudding. These variations reinforce Donald’s perspective on the individual stories behind each vintage.
Each 100ml flask of the 1925 vintage is hand-filled, numbered, and includes the signatures of both Seppeltsfield’s managing director Randall and Bill Seppelt. The luxurious packaging includes a velvet-lined wooden box and a QR code linking to tasting notes.
The Seppeltsfield 1925 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny retails for AU$1,800 and can be ordered through seppeltsfield.com.au. It is also available in the U.S. via Legend Australian Wine Imports.