Dalva 1990 Colheita Portugal Port Wine 75 cl 20%

1990 was the year these grapes were picked by the Douro river and laid to rest in oak in Vila Nova de Gaia. Since then the wine has been left undisturbed, growing gradually deeper, rounder and more spiced with every passing year.

Expert's Description

Dalva 1990 Colheita is a Portuguese Colheita Port – a single-harvest Tawny Port from the Douro Valley – bottled at 20%.

Like all Colheita, the wine comes from a single harvest and has spent far longer than the legal minimum of seven years in cask. That extended contact with wood brings a gradual, oxidative style of maturation, quite different from the fruit-driven character of a young Ruby or Vintage Port.

Behind the bottle stands Dalva, the brand of the Port house C. da Silva in Vila Nova de Gaia. The house was founded in 1862 under the name Corrêa Ribeiro e Filhos, but took its current name in 1933, when Clemente da Silva took over the firm after arriving from Brazil – Dalva is a contraction of the surname da Silva.

Over the decades the house has built a reputation as one of the Port producers most specialised in this exact style, with a broad range of Colheitas from different vintages resting in its cellars.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers citrus peel, black pepper and spice, with a hint of honey in the background.

Palate

The palate is rich and well balanced, where acidity and a light tannic structure keep the wine fresh despite the many years in cask.

Finish

The finish is very long, with lingering spice and a final touch of dried orange.

Specifications

Name: Dalva 1990 Colheita
Winery: Dalva
Region/Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Colheita Port (Tawny)
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak casks
Vintage: 1990

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Citrus · Rich · Long

Investment Potential

The 1990 vintage is over three decades old and ranks among the older Colheitas in the range – a style where every bottle represents a harvest that will never come again. Among collectors of aged Port, early-1990s vintages are in demand, as the available quantity keeps shrinking with each year that passes.

Did You Know?

Over the many years in cask, part of the wine evaporates through the porous oak – in the whisky world this is called the angels' share. In Port cellars the same phenomenon means the remaining Colheita grows ever more concentrated the longer it rests.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dalva 1990 Colheita

What makes a Colheita from 1990 special?

It comes from a single harvest and has matured in oak for over three decades, giving a depth and complexity a younger Port cannot achieve.

Is the bottle suitable as a gift?

Yes, a vintage-dated Colheita with a specific birth year is a fitting gift for anniversaries and milestones tied to 1990.

How should the bottle be stored?

Store it upright, cool and dark. Since the wine is already oxidatively matured, it keeps well for several weeks after opening.

At what temperature and in which glass should it be served?

Serve it at 14-16°C in a Port glass, ideally with nuts, mature cheese or a simple caramel-based dessert.

How does 1990 Colheita compare with a younger Tawny?

It has more concentration and spice than a 10 or 20-year-old Tawny, with clear notes of citrus, pepper and honey built up over its many years in cask.

What defines Dalva as a Port house?

Dalva is part of C. da Silva, founded in 1862 in Vila Nova de Gaia and known for specialising in aged Colheita and white Port rather than the more common Vintage and Ruby styles.