Hutcheson 2011 Colheita Portuguese Port Wine 75 cl 20%

The label carries two dates - the harvest year and the bottling year - and between them lies the story of this Port. 2011 was the grapes' year; everything that's happened since is time, patience and a cask.

Expert's Description

Hutcheson 2011 Colheita is a Portuguese Colheita Port from the Douro Valley, aged in oak casks and bottled at 20%.

Under Portuguese Port regulations, a Colheita label must always state both the harvest year and the bottling year, so the consumer can see exactly how long the Port spent in cask before being bottled - a form of transparency unique to this particular category of Port.

Hutcheson was founded in 1881 by Thomas Page Hutcheson and Alexander Davidson Taylor and has specialised throughout its history in Tawny and Colheita styles. Since 2006 the Sogevinus group has run production, but the house's focus on single-vintage Ports remains the same.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers dried fig, roasted almonds and a light caramel note.

Palate

The palate is soft and rounded, with raisin, orange marmalade and a fine acidity that keeps the sweetness fresh.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with a lightly bitter nutty note at the close.

Specifications

Name: Hutcheson 2011 Colheita
Winery: Hutcheson
Region-Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Colheita Port
Grape varieties: Traditional Douro grapes, including Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz
ABV: 20%
Size: 75 CL
Ageing: Oak cask, min. 7 years
Vintage: 2011
Serving suggestion: Serve at 14-16°C in a port glass, ideally with almond cake or mature cheese

Flavour Profile

Nutty · Caramel · Soft · Mature

Investment Potential

Colheita Ports like this one are a recognised collector's style, because each bottle documents a specific vintage and ageing period down to the year - unlike most other Tawny Ports, where the blending of several vintages makes it impossible to trace a single harvest.

Did You Know?

Because the law requires both the harvest year and the bottling year to appear on the label, a Colheita always lets you calculate the exact ageing period - something no other type of Port on the market allows.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hutcheson 2011 Colheita

Why does the label show two years?

Regulations require a Colheita label to state both the harvest year (2011) and the bottling year, so the exact cask-ageing period can be seen.

What does Hutcheson 2011 Colheita taste like?

It offers dried fig, roasted almonds and orange marmalade, with a soft, round palate and a long finish.

Is this bottle suitable as a gift or for cellaring?

Yes, it can certainly be enjoyed right away, but also works well as a bottle set aside for a special occasion.

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

Serve it at 14-16°C in a port glass so the mature, nutty notes can show their best.

How long does the bottle keep once opened?

It stays fresh for several months after opening if kept cool with the cork replaced.

What defines Hutcheson as a wine house?

Hutcheson was founded in 1881 and has specialised in Tawny and Colheita styles, today part of the Sogevinus group.

What food pairs well with this Colheita?

It pairs nicely with almond cake, dried fruit or mature cheese.