Late Bottle Vintage Porto 2017

All the grapes were harvested by hand and trampled for 4 whole days, the old-fashioned way, in large granite bins called "lagares". Fermentation takes place through the action of native yeasts . The LBVs from Quinta de la Rosa are aged in barrels, at the estate for 4 to 6 years until it is ready to be bottled. The wine is not filtered in order to keep the natural aromas of the wine as much as possible, which can leave a slight sedimentation at the bottom of the bottle. The La Rosa style is all about making well-balanced wines without too much extraction and tannins. This very pretty Port reveals exquisite notes of wild blackberry , black cherry , plum jam , blackcurrant liqueur , coffee , chocolate , violet , licorice , black pepper and menthol . The palate is rich, voluptuous and intense. The alcohol is well controlled, the acidity enhances the flavors and gives way to a superb length in the mouth. It is a very beautiful Port which expresses itself more on black fruits than oxidative notes.

Harvested in good years, “Late Bottled Vintage” or LBV, literally translated “late bottling”, is a Port wine made from a blend of quality grapes from a single vintage just like Vintage Port. The harvest year appears on the label. The “Late Bottled Vintage” are not quite at the level of quality required to merit the Vintage designation but have a nice richness that makes them very good value for money. Its aging lasts between 4 and 6 years in large wooden vats or stainless steel vats , this allowing a slower oxidative evolution. To obtain approval for the name “Late Bottled Vintage”, you must submit to the Port Wine Institute 4 bottles of wine which may or may not be validated for the designation. They are part of the "Ruby" category.

Portugal's rich history is intertwined with its wines, particularly its most famous wine, Port. From the ancient cities of Lisbon and Porto to small medieval towns and Roman ruins, the past is still alive today in modern Portugal. A great vacation in the heart of this country, where Port wines were born, is a unique way to experience Old World culture, climate, beautiful countryside and of course delicious wines. Although the history of wine in Portugal dates back to the Romans, it was not until the early 19th century that the wine we know today as Port came into being. Table wine from Portugal was already in high demand since the mid-17th century, mainly by the British. To make rustic Portuguese wines more stable and palatable, small amounts of brandy were added to wine barrels before shipping. Eventually, British companies began to invest in the region and perfected the process of adding brandy during fermentation, rather than after, which helped preserve the distinctive fruity flavors of red wine that were unique to the Douro Valley region of Portugal. In recent years, a small revolution has occurred in the Douro region in terms of the development of modern style dry red and white wines, alongside the very traditional production of Port wines. Table wines also continue to play an important role. The increase in investments, the improvement of viticultural techniques and the modernization of the industry are producing interesting results. What is unique about Portugal is the very large number (over 500) of indigenous (although sometimes unpronounceable) grape varieties. Even most wine experts aren't familiar with the grapes that produce Port, Madeira, or any other Portuguese wine. Like its neighbor Spain, Portugal has been experiencing a quiet revolution for around twenty years. The reluctance to follow trends and plant international grape varieties is now paying off and the new breed of wines full of "terroir effect" and fruit are more than capable of competing on the world stage. The unique flavors that characterize Portugal's native grape varieties have become its strength. Good news for those looking for a change from wines made from the ubiquitous international grape varieties. The terroir is so diverse. From north to south, from east to west, from the mountains to the maritime vineyards, hot and dry or cool and green. In every style, from vinho verde to port, from dry, crisp whites to elegant reds, in so many different ways, Portuguese wines are unique.