Van Zellers & Co Porto Vintage Ocean Aged 75cl

✨ Overview
The 2019/2020 viticultural year was characterized by fluctuations in temperature and average annual rainfall. It can be considered a hot and dry year. The rain that fell in the spring resulted in the appearance of downy mildew outbreaks earlier than usual. Powdery mildew remained active until the early stages of ripening, requiring more constant and attentive care of the vines. Other potential infections had little or no effect in the Douro areas where Van Zelllers & Co. has its vineyards. The rains that fell at the end of April (35% above average) provided the necessary water to the soil for normal plant development. July was the hottest month on record since 1931, and as Cristiano mentions, "the

🍇 Region : Douro

👨‍🔬 Winemaker : Cristiano van Zeller and Joana Pinhão

🌱 Grape Varieties : More than 25 different grape varieties – including Rufete, Tinta Amarela, Donzelinho Tinto, Tinta Francisca, Sousão, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, among others.

🛠️ Winemaking : Made using traditional winemaking practices, the grapes are carefully selected on a sorting table upon arrival at the winery. All grapes and stems are carefully foot-trodden, adding 15% of the total brandy to homogenize the brandy with the must and allow for a longer fermentation period. Foot treading is done intermittently throughout the fermentation process. Fortification occurs when the must reaches the right point of transformation of natural sugars into alcohol, at which point the remaining brandy is added. AGING IN THE OCEAN On December 9, 2022, Francisca van Zeller submerged 102 bottles of Van Zellers & Co Vintage Port 2020 in the Atlantic Ocean, in Sines, where the sea has more constant temperatures throughout the year (around 13ºC). The bottles were taken to a depth of 10 meters. Bottling date: September 2022 (2.742 x 750ml)

🧪 Analysis :

• Alcohol content: 20%
• pH: 3.80
• Baumé: 3.0

👃 Organoleptic Test
Van Zellers & Co Vintage Port 2020 was produced with the finest grapes, hand-picked from very old vines located in the heart of the Douro Valley. Van Zellers & Co Vintage Ports are traditionally foot-trodden and fermented in granite lagares. After about three days of fermentation, brandy was added to the must, thus preserving the intensity of the red fruit aromas, with notes of jam and cassis. Spices, dark chocolate, plum and dried fruit, as well as notes of fig, appear in a deep and velvety Vintage Port. With oceanic aging, the wine lightened its tannins and gained more perceptible notes of nuts and a deeper chocolatey finish. DIVER Francisca van Zeller WINEMAKERS Cristiano van Zeller and Joana Pinhão When we think of nature, we think of all the ways in which it intoxicates the senses. Nature is alive, in motion and in constant reproduction.

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

🍽️ Serving suggestion : Serve slightly chilled (12–14ºC). Bottling date: September 2022 (2.742 x 750ml). Once opened, keep tightly closed in a cool, dark place.