Quick Answer: Best overall: Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Tawny (about $37). Best value: Kirkland 10 Year Tawny at Costco ($17, made by Fonseca). For Stilton: a ruby like Graham's Six Grapes (about $27).
Port is the easiest drink for a cheese board: one bottle covers the blue cheese, the aged cheddar and dessert.
All 5 picks
Prices are retailer and Costco listings; port prices vary by state.
Best overall
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny
- Style
- 10-year tawny
- Scores
- 93 Parker, 93 Suckling, 91 WS
- Notes
- Toffee, walnut, dried cherry
Why it's here: The benchmark 10-year tawny: silky, with toffee, caramel and dried fruit, and high scores from four critics.
Watch out: Pricier than the Costco tawny below.
Why we picked it (sources)
67 Wine lists $36.99 and the critic scores (67 Wine).
Best value
Kirkland Signature 10 Year Old Tawny
- Style
- 10-year tawny
- Maker
- Fonseca
- Rating
- Recommended Buy (Reverse Wine Snob)
Why it's here: A real 10-year tawny from Fonseca for $17: caramel, toffee, nuts and orange zest.
Watch out: Costco only, and a little hot on the nose.
Why we picked it (sources)
Reverse Wine Snob lists $16.99 and rates it a Recommended Buy (Reverse Wine Snob).
Best for Stilton
Graham's Six Grapes Reserve
- Style
- Reserve ruby
- Notes
- Raisin, blackberry, chocolate
- Grade
- B at Drinkhacker
Why it's here: A big, fruity ruby that stands up to Stilton and other strong blues.
Watch out: Sweet, sometimes cloying on its own.
Why we picked it (sources)
Drinkhacker lists $27 and grades it B (Drinkhacker).
Best ruby for the money
Fonseca Bin No. 27
- Style
- Reserve ruby
- Scores
- 90 to 93 from four publications
- Maker
- Fonseca
Why it's here: A widely sold reserve ruby with scores in the 90s, good with blue cheese and dark chocolate.
Watch out: Prices vary widely by store.
Why we picked it (sources)
Bottle Barn lists its critic scores (Bottle Barn).
Best at Costco (name brand)
Sandeman 10 Year Old Tawny
- Style
- 10-year tawny
- Since
- 1790
- Keeps open
- Up to 3 months, refrigerated
Why it's here: A classic house's 10-year tawny: dried fruit, roasted nuts and caramel, made for aged cheese and nuts.
Watch out: Twice the price of Costco's own tawny.
Why we picked it (sources)
Warehouse Runner lists $29.99 to $30.99 and the details (Warehouse Runner).
Tawny vs ruby, and what cheese goes with each
- Ruby is young, red and fruity: pour it with Stilton, Gorgonzola and dark chocolate.
- Tawny is aged in wood, amber and nutty: pour it with aged cheddar, aged Gouda, Manchego, nuts and dried fruit.
- Serve it slightly cool, about 55 to 60°F, in small 2 to 3 oz pours.
- Once open: ruby keeps about 2 weeks and tawny 1 to 3 months, corked in the fridge.
Serving it with Stilton? See the best Stilton and the cheese course.
Port questions
What is the best port wine for the money?
Kirkland Signature 10 Year Tawny at Costco, about $17 and made by Fonseca.
Tawny or ruby port with cheese?
Ruby for blue cheese like Stilton; tawny for aged cheddar, Gouda and nutty cheeses.
Should port be chilled?
Slightly. Serve it around 55 to 60°F, a little cooler than room temperature.
How long does port last once opened?
Ruby about 2 weeks, tawny 1 to 3 months, corked and refrigerated.
How much port per person?
A 2 to 3 oz pour. A 750 ml bottle serves 8 to 12 people.
How we picked these, and sources
We used critic scores from retailer listings, Reverse Wine Snob and Drinkhacker reviews, and Costco tracker prices. No single recent tasting compares these ports side by side. Checked October 26, 2026.
- 67 Wine: Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Tawny (critic scores)
- Reverse Wine Snob: Kirkland Signature 10 Year Tawny
- Drinkhacker: Graham's Six Grapes Reserve review (Aug 2025)
- Bottle Barn: Fonseca Bin No. 27 (critic scores)
- Warehouse Runner: Sandeman 10 Year Tawny at Costco
More drinks: the best wines under $20 and the best cheap Champagne. Every guide is on our charcuterie buying guides page.
