Dalva 20 years old Dry White Portugal Port Wine 75 cl 20%

Two decades in old oak have done something unusual to these white grapes: the pale, fresh fruit has slowly turned deep amber, while the palate has taken on a weight rarely found in white wine.

Expert's Description

Dalva 20 Years Dry White is a Portuguese, dry, age-indicated Port made from white grapes from the Douro Valley, bottled at 20% – note that Dry White is a dry style and should not be mistaken for a sweet dessert-style Port.

The wine is aged in very old French oak barrels for twenty years. The long, slow oxidation gives the colour its deep amber tone and builds a complexity of resin, citrus and nuts that defines the style.

Behind the bottle stands Dalva, the brand of the Port house C. da Silva in Vila Nova de Gaia, founded in 1862. The house is particularly known for exactly this range of age-indicated dry white Ports, alongside its classic Colheita Ports.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is deep and complex, with notes of exotic resin, citrus fruit, honey and almonds.

Palate

The palate is dry and finely structured, with a silky, slightly fat character and a pleasant complexity.

Finish

The finish is long, with a well-integrated dryness and a light burning, warm close.

Specifications

Name: Dalva 20 Years Dry White
Winery: Dalva
Region/Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Dry White Port, dry, 20 years
Grape varieties: Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Donzelinho Branco, Gouveio
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak casks
EAN no.: 5603003114405

Flavour Profile

Resinous · Citrus · Dry · Silky

Investment Potential

A 20-year-old Dry White sits well above standard white Port production, which is typically drunk young. Among collectors interested in Port's rarer sides, the age-indicated Dry White range is in demand, precisely because so few houses produce white Port with this much cask age.

Did You Know?

Although the wine is made from white grapes, the twenty years in cask make it visually indistinguishable from an aged Tawny in the glass – but the palate tells a different story, with citrus and resin instead of the dark berries and nuts found in a red Colheita.

See our full range of Dalva

Frequently Asked Questions about Dalva 20 Years Dry White

Is Dalva 20 Years Dry White worth it?

Yes – an age-indicated Dry White with twenty years in cask is a rare style that only a handful of Port houses produce, making it an interesting addition to any Port collection.

Is Dry White a sweet Port?

No, unlike most Port styles, it is deliberately vinified dry, giving a nuttier and less sweet character than a classic Ruby or Tawny.

Which grapes are used for Dalva 20 Years Dry White?

The wine is made from a blend of the white Douro grapes Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Donzelinho Branco and Gouveio.

At what temperature should it be served?

Serve it at 12-14°C in a white wine or Port glass, ideally as a solo experience rather than with a full meal.

How should the bottle be stored after opening?

Store it upright and cool. Because the wine is already deeply oxidatively matured, it stays fresh for several months after opening.

What defines Dalva as a Port house?

Dalva is part of C. da Silva, founded in 1862 in Vila Nova de Gaia, and is particularly known for its range of age-indicated dry white Ports.