Description

✨ Overview
The 1976 vintage was characterized by a very low yield, caused by an extremely dry growing season and a very hot summer, with only a few hints of rain in August. However, and as was usual in those years, it produced some very healthy and ripe grapes.

🍇 Region : Douro

👨‍🔬 Winemaker : Cristiano van Zeller

🌱 Grapes : Created 100% from over 30 red grape varieties, this Very Old Tawny Port ages in very old barrels until bottling.

🛠️ Winemaking : All grapes are foot-trodden in traditional granite lagares until fermentation is stopped with the addition of grape brandy. These wines are carefully aged in old oak barrels for many years. This slow aging process over time causes the wine to transform its vibrant red color into more amber and coppery tones, thus creating a Tawny Port. The longer the wine spends in barrels, the more it concentrates flavors of honey, toffee, caramel, tobacco, dark or white chocolate, ripe or dried fruits such as raisins, dried figs, and plums. The wines are bottled only to order. As the harvest is kept separate throughout its aging and is not blended with any other year, this wine is bottled as a Very Old Tawny Colheita.

🧪 Analysis :

Alcohol content: 20.5%
pH: 3.48
Total acidity: 5.4 g/l
Volatile acidity: 0.83 g/l
Total SO₂: 52 mg/l
Baumé: 4.9

👃 Organoleptic Test
Typical tawny color, still without any indication of aging on the green rim, aromas of caramel and dried figs, complex dried fruits and hints of orange peel. Full-bodied and rich on the palate, sweet, long and delicate finish. Try it with a caramel or almond tart, served chilled. WINEMAKER Cristiano van Zeller 1976 HARVEST VERY OLD TAWNY PORT Time is a great ally in Port wine. It is time that allows wines to concentrate their flavors and a mysterious touch. Time helps to soften the strength of the tannins, the muscle and structure of the wine, and the characteristic aromas of a young Port, such as fresh fruits, flowers and earthy aromas. New nuances are revealed in the color of the wine, such as golden, green and amber touches. The wine gains a striking freshness and a silky and vibrant sensation. With the unexpected aromas that blossom with time, it is time that is responsible for the touch

⏳ Potential for Evolution : Excellent aging potential, evolving in the bottle with greater aromatic complexity.

🍽️ Serving suggestion : Serve slightly chilled (12–14ºC). Once opened, keep tightly closed in a cool, dark place.