New to Direct Wine Shipments but one of the oldest wine companies in Portugal, with more than 265 years of dedication to Port wine.
Real Companhia Velha was founded on the 10th of September 1756 by Royal Charter of King D. José I, under the auspices of his Prime Minister, Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the Count of Oeiras and Marquis of Pombal and since then have been faithful to its old traditions by offering the finest Ports.
Formed by the most important farmers from the Douro Valley, and significant figures of the city of Porto, the company was entrusted with the task of “sustaining the cultivation of the vines, conserving their natural production and purity, towards a benefit of Agriculture, Trade and Public Health”. Amongst the Company’s numerous services in favour of the public, the most important event was the “Pombalina Demarcation of the Douro Valley” which was dictated between 1758 and 1761 by Real Companhia Velha’s Board of Deputies. This led to the Douro Valley becoming the world’s oldest demarcated wine region.
The Company owns some of the Douro’s finest Quintas, located in the very best areas of the Region.
Royal Oporto is the flagship brand for the Company on the international stage. The brand name acted as symbolic translation for – Real Companhia Velha – from the old days, as the English wine merchants always referred to the Company as “Royal Oporto Wine Company” for its reference to the Royal Charter that granted its establishment, its origin from the City of Oporto, and finally for its easy pronunciation.
Royal Oporto brands Ports of a unique kind, made from grapes grown at the Quintas owned by the Company, focusing mostly on aged Tawnies, which have been consistently blended by many generations of Cellar Masters at Real Companhia Velha. These Ports to be some of the Company’s finest treasures.
Royal Oporto White Port
Royal Oporto White is blended with different white Ports from different years, in which Malvasia Fina is prodominent. The Ports are rigorously selected and aged in old oak vats for an average period of two years. A young wine, of straw-like colour, with aromas of raisins and sweet fruit. Very balanced, revealing itself very fruity on the palate, with excellent acidity and a long, lasting and sweet finish.
“87/100. A balance between fruit and spirit gives a wine that is sweet while also having a bite and acidity. The texture has a lift of crisp apple skins at the end.” (Wine Enthusiast)
Royal Oporto LBV 2018
Although made from one specific Vintage, as shown on the label, LBV’s (on the contrary to Vintage Ports) are bottled between the fourth and sixth year of ageing. This longer ageing period ensures a smoother and rounder palate, making this wine enjoyable for immediate consumption. A deep and dark coloured LBV with notes of red fruit and raisins, complex with berries and spice. Very fine on the palate, with firm and round tannins showing a very solid structure, with an elegant finish and great fruit character.
Royal Oporto 20 year old Tawny Port
This 20 Year Old Port presents a typical brick toned amber colour, indicative of its long ageing in oak. A very complex wine in which we discover a perfect balance between notes of nuts, dry raisins and oak. On the palate, shows great acidity, portrayed by a lively and long finish. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz.
Quinta das Carvalhas is the most emblematic and spectacular property in the Douro Valley. Written references regarding this magnificent vineyard can be traced back to 1759. Enjoying a prominent position on the left bank of the Douro river, in Pinhão, the estate covers the entire hillside facing the Douro river and occupies part of the slopes of the right bank of the tributary Torto river.
Quinta das Carvalhas produces rich and characterful Ports from a spectacular and neatly terraced mountain valley where the vine culture has been present over centuries. The Vintage Port is produced from a selected parcel of Quinta das Carvalhas’ Old Vines.
These vines, of almost a century old, are the spine for all the great wines produced at the Estate. The Old Vines located at Quinta das Carvalhas are the origin of their Premium Ports such as Vintages and Colheitas.
Quinta das Carvalhas Colheita 2007
Colheita Ports are a very specific style of dated wines which result of a rigorous selection of the best grapes from the year on the label. These wines are aged for a minimum period of 7 years in selected old oak cases. They acquire a genuine and distinct bouquet of intense and complex aromas and a fine, velvety palate. With a different style to Vintage Ports, Colheitas are harmoniously aromatic, balanced in flavour and persistent on the palate. The style of Port emphasises the effort and dedication placed on making unforgettable wines. 92/100. (Wine Spectator)
Quinta das Carvalhas Vintage 2018
Vintage Ports represent the quintessence of the wines produced at Quinta das Carvalhas. Produced from selected parcels of Old Vines, these wines of immense power and quality are known for the enormous aromatic complexity, richness in tannin and excellent acidity, which guarantees the great potential to age in bottle.Vintage Ports are only produced in exceptional years and represent only a small portion of the harvest. “94/100. This is a finely perfumed wine from a blend of old vines. It shows rich flavors of dried fruits and fresh plums. It also has a terrific structure and a tannic character that will allow it to age. Drink from 2030.” — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast 2021
Quinta das Carvalhas 40 year old Port
For 40 years, these Ports made from Old Vines at Quinta das Carvalhas are aged in the finest old oak casks to ensure its magnificent structure and harmonious and delicate notes. These wines represent the authenticity of a region capable of making wines that can age decades and even centuries. At Quinta das Carvalhas, a classic terroir for the production of Port, allied to Old Vines of unique charisma, are responsible for this 40 year Old Port of great aromatic complexity and nobility. A very special Porto with great aromatic intensity of vanilla notes, spices and dry fruit. Reveals power and a velvety texture with the wine brandy well integrated with the oak and fruit, approaching the palate with intense flavours. Its lively acidity provides a long-lasting finish where flavours of crystallized orange are unveiled with elegance.
“95/100. A stunner, featuring a core of date, cherry, fig and peach flavors that are by turns youthfully vibrant and gently mulled, while notes of green tea, persimmon and bergamot skitter about. A live wire of acidity pierces through, with a hint of ginger ganache echoing at the very end.” ((James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 2018)
