Dalva 1995 Colheita Portugal Portvin 75 cl 20%

In 1995 the grapes were picked, pressed and laid to rest in a cask in Vila Nova de Gaia - and there they stayed, decade after decade, while the world outside moved on.

Expert's Description

Dalva 1995 Colheita is a Portuguese Colheita Port from the single vintage 1995, bottled at 20%.

A Colheita differs from standard Tawny in that it comes from one specific harvest year rather than a blend of vintages, and by law it must spend at least seven years in oak before it can even be sold as Colheita - this one has aged well beyond that minimum, giving it its deep colour and concentrated character.

Dalva is the Port brand of the house C. da Silva, founded in Vila Nova de Gaia in 1933 by Clemente da Silva, who returned from Brazil with the capital and ambition to build his own quality wine house. A year later he registered the name Dalva, a contraction of "da Silva", and the house has since become especially known for its extensive range of single-vintage Colheita Ports.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Candied orange peel, black tea and gingerbread meet brown sugar and roasted nuts in a rich, dense bouquet.

Palate

Full and unctuous on the palate, with caramel and praline, spiced with warm baking spices, tobacco and a touch of leather, while a lively freshness keeps the wine from feeling heavy.

Finish

Long, nutty finish with a hint of raisin and a lingering warmth from the spirit.

Specifications

Name: Dalva 1995 Colheita
Winery: Dalva
Region-Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Colheita Port
Grape varieties: Traditional Douro field blend (incl. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz)
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak cask, several decades (single vintage 1995)
Vintage: 1995
Serving suggestion: Serve at 14-16°C in a Port glass, ideally with blue cheese, walnuts or a caramel dessert

Flavour Profile

Nutty · Spiced · Caramel · Complex

Investment Potential

Single-vintage Colheita Ports are sought after by collectors, and a bottle with over three decades in cask counts as a rare vintage with limited availability on the market.

Did You Know?

A Colheita may only leave the cellar once approved by Portugal's wine authority, the IVDP - every single cask is tasted and assessed before a given vintage is allowed to carry its birth year on the label, and many casks never quite get there.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dalva 1995 Colheita

What is a Colheita Port?

A Colheita is a Tawny Port from a single, named vintage, as opposed to standard Tawny, which is a blend of several vintages. It must age at least seven years in oak before it may carry the year on its label.

How rare is the 1995 vintage?

A Colheita with over three decades in cask is relatively rare, since the vast majority of Dalva's Tawny production is bottled much younger. Bottles like this are sought after by Port collectors.

What does Dalva 1995 Colheita taste like?

It offers candied orange peel, black tea and roasted nuts on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied with caramel, praline and warm spices, finishing long and nutty.

At what temperature should it be served?

Best around 14-16°C in a Port glass, slightly below room temperature to bring out the spice notes.

What pairs well with Dalva 1995 Colheita?

Blue cheese, walnuts and caramel-based desserts work particularly well with the wine's nutty, spiced style.

How long does an opened bottle keep?

Thanks to the long cask ageing and high sweetness, an opened bottle typically keeps for several months if stored cool and well sealed.

Is Dalva 1995 Colheita a good gift?

Yes, the named vintage and long ageing make it a fitting gift for Port lovers or to mark an anniversary around 1995.

What defines Dalva as a Port house?

Dalva is known for its wide range of single-vintage Colheita Ports and has specialised in this style since the house was founded in Vila Nova de Gaia in the 1930s.