Ramos Pinto Late Bottled Vintage 2018

Ramos Pinto draw this Late Bottled Vintage from a single harvest, the 2018 vintage, blending the native Douro varieties Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca. The grapes come from the steep schist terraces of the Douro Valley, where stony, heat-retaining soils and hot dry summers produce small, deeply coloured berries with concentrated sugar. As with all Port the fermentation is stopped early with grape spirit, retaining sweetness and lifting the strength while locking in the dark fruit. An LBV differs from Vintage Port in its ageing: this wine spent 48 months in oak before bottling, four years that soften the tannins and round the fruit while keeping the deep colour and ripe character of the single vintage. Unlike Tawny, the cask time is shorter and the wine stays red rather than fading to amber. Expect a deep ruby colour and a palate of ripe plum, black cherry, dried fig and dark chocolate, with liquorice and a peppery, spiced lift. Serve lightly chilled at around 16C in a small glass. It suits dark chocolate, blue cheese and rich meat.