The Pitch:
There are some things in life that are great to experience but only in small, infrequent doses.  Foie gras, “American Idol,” Keith Olbermann and Country music come to mind.  I’ll put Port into that category as well because the best of them boast outstanding flavors and bring an entirely new level of enjoyment to imbibing.  That said, I can’t imagine drinking more than a snifter or two in any one sitting, no matter how delicious.  A couple of bites of foie gras and few minutes of Keith Olbermann’s “Special Comment” usually suffice, too.  Any more than that and it’s sensory overload.  It has been a few weeks now that I have had the pleasure of sampling the Sandeman 20 Years-Old Tawny Porto, a gorgeous amber-hued elixir with strong fig notes harmonized with subtle hints of honey and vanilla.  Since much of the Port I’ve drunk in the past has been of the heavy, sweet variety, to encounter one as light-bodied and satiny smooth as this was a welcome discovery.  That seductive mellowness, I learned, is characteristic of Tawny Ports that are aged in wood barrels.

Movie Pairing:
Most of us have our go-to movies depending on our moods.  Need a laugh?  Watch “Billy Madison” for the thousandth time.  Broken heart needs mending?  “Love Actually” will help you heal.  Feeling an itch for mindless destruction?  See Rambo, John.  When the mood for a Port strikes, try it with a movie like “The Doors,” a polished and satisfying epic that pairs well with the slow-sipping honeyed smoothness of the Sandeman.  Like the Sandeman, a little Oliver Stone goes a long way.

What to serve it with:
Go sweet or go home.  Keep a nip or two of the Sandeman nearby when you crack the brittle brown crust of a crème brulée.  Caramelized sugar and rich, smooth custard paired with the light, nutty Sandeman should light your fire in a good way.

Price: $52

Imbiber Rating: 93