Delaforce, 'Curious & Ancient', 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal

Producer Profile

The iconic Real Companhia Velha is the oldest wine company in Portugal, with a history of over 260 years of port production. Founded in 1756 by the Portuguese Prime Minister Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, Marquis of Pombal (called Douro Wine Company back then) to regulate the trade and production of all Port wine. One of the first official duties of the company was the delineation of the boundaries of the Douro wine region. This act essentially made the Douro the world's first regional appellation. Today this company represents some of the finest Quintas in the Douro. Prestigious and experienced, they have been able to preserve and honour the traditional winemaking while investing in the future with constant modernisation and experimentation in their vineyards.

Viticulture

Overarching some of best Quintas in the Douro, they have been able to preserve and honour the tradition of winemaking while investing in the future, with constant modernisation and experimentation at their vineyards.

Winemaking

The wine is carefully blended after full tasting and examination of Delaforce Ports which are selected from the best areas of the Douro Port region every year to become reserves for His Eminence. These reserves will remain maturing in casks over many years in Vila Nova de Gaia until they reach the mellow perfection for which it has justly gained much fame.

Oak Ageing

0

Tasting Note

This very rare old tawny is drawn from the firm’s extensive reserves of old cask matured port. Its elegant and complex nose displays aromas of orange flower, walnut and butterscotch, spicy hints of liquorice and vanilla and an attractive ‘cigar box’ woodiness on a background of rich figgy fruit. In the mouth it is round, smooth and richly-flavoured with a long spicy and jammy finish.

Food Matching

Serve with blue cheese, mature cheddar, nuts, and chocolate desserts.