Royal Oporto Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2018

Profile & Story

The Royal Oporto brand emerged shortly after the founding of Real Companhia Velha in 1756, Portugal's oldest wine company, established by royal charter under King José I, originally created to promote the Company's Port wines in Anglo-Saxon markets. Real Companhia Velha seeks for its Port wines to represent the fullest expression of the Portuguese art of blending, aged patiently in cask until they reach perfection, drawing on five estates across the Douro. This Late Bottled Vintage blends grapes from two of the Company's estates: the old vines of Quinta das Carvalhas contribute power and structure, while Touriga Nacional from Quinta de Cidrô lends elegance. The grapes are hand-picked with care, fermented in stone lagares with traditional foot-treading for gentle yet thorough extraction, and aged in oak vats for four to six years before bottling, a longer ageing period that gives LBV its smoother, rounder palate and makes it ready for immediate enjoyment. The wine is unfiltered.

Pairing Recommendation

Enjoy with dark chocolate, red fruits, or strong cheeses. Unfiltered, so decanting is suggested; store and serve at 16°C. Drink now or cellar up to 20 years.