Baronesa de Vilar LBV Port (50cl) 2017

Portugal’s storied Van Zeller family has been making top-quality Port since 1715, with 15 consecutive generations of wine producers passing on their knowledge and traditions. The Baroness of Vilar was the maternal grandmother of Alvaro van Zeller (the current generation’s winemaker, below, left), and he crafted Baronesa de Vilar LBV Port to capture the essence of her elegance and strength.

Alvaro is one of the most highly regarded winemakers in Portugal, and is a former Head of the Port Wine Institute (which means that he had to approve the category for all Port wines released to the market!). Late-Bottled Vintage, or LBV, Port is a hugely popular modern style that offers the power of a vintage Port, but doesn’t demand the decades of patience to enjoy.

To make this stunning release, Alvaro employed all of his family’s winemaking traditions. The grapes were hand picked and then foot trodden in granite lagares, helping to create a full-bodied style and rich fruit character. He personally selected and blended the final wine from Ports that were aged in oak casks for four years.

This fine LBV displays intense aromas and flavors of black and purple fruits, with hints of dark chocolate, violet and spice. In order to retain as much depth and character as possible, Baronesa de Vilar was bottled unfiltered and—just like a Vintage Port—may throw a natural deposit over time. Although it’s ready to drink now, this flavor-packed Port can develop a bit further in bottle and should be decanted ahead of serving. A classic match for Stilton cheese, but equally delicious on its own.

Alvaro crafts this lovely LBV in limited quantities, so get your order in soon.

Note: Baronesa de Vilar LBV Port comes in a 500ml (50cl) bottle.