Dalva 2004 Colheita Portugal Port Wine 75 cl 20%

In 2004 these grapes were harvested in the Douro Valley, and the wine has been resting in oak ever since, until Dalva's cellar team judged it ready to be bottled.

Expert's Description

Dalva 2004 Colheita is a Portuguese Colheita Port – a single-harvest Tawny Port from the Douro Valley – bottled at 20%.

Unlike a Vintage Port, which is bottled young and continues to mature in the bottle, a Colheita stays in cask until the house itself decides it is ready. There is no fixed timetable – taste alone determines when the 2004 vintage is deemed mature enough for bottling, which gives every Colheita its own individual character.

Behind the bottle stands Dalva, the brand of the Port house C. da Silva in Vila Nova de Gaia. The house dates back to 1862 under the name Corrêa Ribeiro e Filhos and took on its current identity in 1933, when Clemente da Silva took over the firm after arriving from Brazil.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is warm and aromatic, with dried apricot, a touch of honey and a light nutty tone.

Palate

The palate is soft and round, with caramel and ripe raisins, carried by a fresh acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, warm and spiced, closing on a final hint of toasted almonds.

Specifications

Name: Dalva 2004 Colheita
Winery: Dalva
Region/Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Colheita Port (Tawny)
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak casks
Vintage: 2004
EAN no.: 5603003330010
Serving suggestion: Serve at 14-16°C in a Port glass, ideally with nuts, mature cheese or dark chocolate

Flavour Profile

Round · Apricot · Caramel · Warm

Investment Potential

As a single-vintage Colheita, the 2004 bottle represents a harvest that can never be repeated, which makes it interesting for collectors seeking a specific birth-year bottle. Interest tends to be greatest for the oldest Colheitas in the range, but newer vintages like this one also draw attention as more years are added to their time in cask.

Did You Know?

There is no fixed rule for when a Colheita must be bottled – the decision rests entirely on the cellar team's taste assessment. Two bottles from the same harvest year can therefore be bottled several years apart, depending on when the house judges them ready.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dalva 2004 Colheita

How does Dalva 2004 Colheita taste?

It is round and warm, with dried apricot, caramel and ripe raisins, closing on a medium-length, spiced finish with toasted almonds.

When is a Colheita decided to be bottled?

There is no fixed schedule – the cellar team tastes regularly and bottles the wine once it is judged to have reached its proper character.

Is the bottle suitable as a gift?

Yes, a Colheita with a specific harvest year like 2004 suits anniversaries and birthdays that coincide with the vintage.

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 dark chocolate.

How long does the bottle keep once opened?

Since the wine is already oxidatively matured in cask, it stays fresh for several weeks if the cork is replaced and the bottle stored cool.

What is the story behind 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 Colheita and white Port.