Seppelt is one of Australia’s most historic wine institutions, with fortified winemaking roots dating back to the mid-19th century. Renowned for its brilliant cellars at Great Western and for producing some of Australia’s greatest tawnies, Seppelt has long been recognised as a benchmark for aged fortified wines of depth, complexity, and longevity. Their rare 50 Year Old Vintage Tawny bottlings represent the pinnacle of the estate’s fortified craftsmanship — a release made only from the finest, longest-aged barrels held in the Seppelt solera.
Vineyard
Fruit for these old tawny wines traditionally comes from low-yielding parcels across Victoria, including the Grampians and Rutherglen region. Old vines, warm days, and dry conditions naturally intensify flavours while maintaining acidity essential for extended maturation. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness for fortified production, ensuring richness, concentration, and structural longevity — vital for wines destined to mature for decades in cask.
Wine & Ageing
This extraordinary bottling was crafted from wines originally produced in 1951 and aged for around five decades in old oak casks before bottling. Long-term oxidative ageing in large, seasoned barrels develops profound layers of complexity, stabilises the wine naturally, and imparts deep colour, rich texture, and remarkable aromatic concentration. Only a small number of barrels were deemed worthy of being included in this prestigious release.
Tasting Notes
The 1951 Seppelt 50 Year Old Vintage Tawny Port pours a deep mahogany-brown with olive rim and extraordinary viscosity. The bouquet is intensely aromatic, offering walnut, burnt toffee, fig jam, raisins, orange peel, old leather, dark treacle, and warm spices. The palate is incredibly rich and concentrated yet impeccably balanced — showcasing flavours of caramelised nuts, molasses, dried fruits, espresso, antique wood, and savoury spice. Acidity provides structure and freshness, lifting the sweetness and extending a seemingly endless finish. A fortified wine of immense depth, history, and elegance.
Rarity & Collectability
Bottled in extremely limited quantities
A showcase of Seppelt’s old fortified stocks
Highly sought after by collectors of historic Australian tawnies
Wines of this age and pedigree are rarely seen in the market
Technical Information
Region: Victoria (Great Western / Rutherglen influence)
Producer: Seppelt
Style: Vintage Tawny Port
Alcohol: ~18%
Ageing: ~50 years in old oak casks
Bottle Size: 750ml
Drinking Window: Now–indefinite (fortified and stable)
A Collectible Gem
The 1951 Seppelt 50 Year Old Vintage Tawny Port is an exceptional, museum-level fortified wine — profoundly complex, beautifully balanced, and steeped in Australian winemaking history. A rare opportunity to own a piece of Seppelt’s legendary fortified heritage.
