PORT WINE 

RARE 19TH CENTURY PORT

Cristiano van Zeller (formerly from Quinta do Noval) discovered the 1880 Port in 1999 at a winery in Regua in the Douro Valley that was closing following the death of the owner. Cristiano was interested in acquiring stone lagares (foot treading tanks) for his new winery but was also asked if he was interested in any old stock. Most was uninteresting but at the rear of the winery were three 20,000 litre casks, two empty but one containing 10,000 litres of 1880 port, 10,000 litres having evaporated during the intervening 119 years. The intention was to bottle the wine as 100 year old (for the millennium) but that was not possible - according to the Port Wine Institute it could only be called 'over 40 years'- so the name 'Millennium Port' was chosen and the wording, agreed with the PWI, on the back label. The wine was bottled in 2002 by Niepoort after adding 5 per cent of their 1945 vintage.

Colheita Port

Bottled by Niepoort in 2002. Excellent appearance.

Tasting note: Pale mahogany with amber tints. Aromatics leap from the glass with nuances ranging from butterscotch and old oak aromas (as to be expected from over 120 ageing years in cask!) to dried fruits, such as raisin and prune to hazelnut and walnut, savoury spicy notes and a delightful oolong tea leaf character - each nose in the glass reveals something additional in the complex multi-layered bouquet. On the palate sweet but certainly not cloying with bright acidity and rich flavours of fruit cake and sweet spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon with a long persistent finish. A harmonious Colheita with impressive complexity, concentration of flavours and longevity. Tasted 23/04/2021. Tim Triptree MW

Dirk  van der Niepoort

Cristiano van Zellar