Single Quinta Vintage Port 19.5% vol Quinta de Ervamoira 0.75L

A Single Quinta Vintage Port from one of the most remarkable sites of the Douro Superior — the Quinta de Ervamoira lies far to the east of the valley, where the climate is more continental and the summers are hotter than in the better-known growing areas closer to the Atlantic. Ramos Pinto, family-owned since 1880 and today one of the most renowned port wine houses, acquired this Quinta in 1974 and grows exclusively indigenous grape varieties there.

The wine was traditionally fermented in the lagar — open stone basins in which the mash is trodden with feet to achieve maximum color extraction and tannin structure. After two years of aging in large wooden barrels, it was bottled in only 9,200 bottles. In the glass, it shows a dense, almost impenetrable color; on the nose, raspberry and dark cherry, violets, and a hint of black olive. On the palate, powerful but velvety tannins, dense sweetness without heaviness, long finish with cocoa and dried herbs.

Served at 16–18 °C with mature Stilton, dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content, or braised venison. Those who drink it pure need no food with it — it carries itself.