A late-bottled vintage port is a single-vintage blend that has been aged four to six years in oak casks, unlike a vintage port which ages only two years in wood before bottling. As a result of this extended wood contact, LBV ports have mature, fruity flavors at a younger age, offering much of the character of a vintage port without the wait and at a lower price point. Young and elegant, this delicious LBV 2017 represents the Ramos Pinto style.

The grapes from our quintas of Ervamoira and Bom Retiro are harvested by hand in small containers and taken to the lagar to be crushed by foot. Fermentation lasted around 3 to 5 days, producing a wine with excellent extraction. The wine was aged in Vila Nova de Gaia, in seasoned wooden vats of approximately 15,000 litres. The blend was made in June 2018 and bottled in October of the same year. The 2015 LBV is a traditional late bottled vintage, without hot or cold treatments, unfiltered, thus preserving the full potential of the existing fruit and the capacity for extensive aging in bottle.

Great concentration of color. Lively shades of ruby, opaque and very dense. Fresh red fruit aromas such as strawberry, raspberry and red cherry have the first impact. Notes of lavender and cloves add to the complexity of the wine. This unfiltered LBV is soft, engaging and brimming with energy. Rich and dense with underlying black fruit on the mid-palate. Tannins are noticeable yet well integrated, followed by a long flavorful finish. 

In the Douro region, 2016-2017 was quite a dry viticultural year and after May there was no relevant rainfall. Average temperatures from March to June were higher. The harvest of white and red grapes in the two sub-regions began earlier than usual and almost simultaneously. The profile of the 2017 harvest is ripe, rich and scented. This crop will be remembered for the grapes' speedy maturation and the intensity of the harvest.

Goes well with game dishes, red meat, cheese soufflé, Serra cheese or other fatty cheeses and chocolate desserts. Serve between 14º and 18ºC. Store the bottle horizontally in a cool, dry place, away from the light.