Quinta das Carvalhas Memories Very Old Tawny Porto

Quinta das Carvalhas Memories Very Old Tawny Porto is a monumental and historic treasure, crafted primarily from a pristine 1867 pre-phylloxera harvest with a delicate addition of 1900 colheita to refresh the blend. Aged for over a century and a half in old oak casks, this profound Port exhibits an intense, dark hue with greenish-amber edges. The spellbinding bouquet reveals concentrated aromas of candied orange peel, toasted hazelnuts, walnut husk, dried fig, and spiced tobacco. On the palate, it is incredibly rich, unctuous, and remarkably fresh, showcasing an electric acidity, staggering depth, and an endless, lingering finish defined by brown sugar, exotic spices, and absolute elegance.

Food Pairing: Pairs flawlessly with blue cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort, mature hard cheeses, roasted nuts, fine cigars, and delicate caramel or dark chocolate desserts.

99 Points - Wine Spectator

Walnut and hazelnut husk notes streak through this intense Port, followed quickly by racy dried orange peel, date, brown sugar, powdered ginger and green tea flavors. The long finish has terrific tension and drive, with a twinge of iodine adding lift and cut. Exotic and beautiful. Contains a majority of wine from 1867, blended with 7 percent wine from 1900. Drink now.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The NV Memorias 19th Century Tawny Port from Carvalhas, due to be released in April, 2015, was blended by winemaker Jorge Moreira in 2010, but at the time I tasted it was still not quite on the market. This preview look is worthwhile, though. A blend of vintages from 1867-1900, this is just beautiful. With a powerful, intense nose (the type of thing that makes old Tawnies so exceptional), it proceeds to touch all the bases. Crisp, fresh and invigorating on the palate, it also finishes with a certain unctuous, yet subtle feel. It lingers beautifully and it is just delicious for every moment that it lingers. This is not the biggest or most powerful, but it does exactly what you want old Tawnies to do. It is fine. The drinking window is just a suggestion. Assume that it is pretty much immortal, if it comes with a reliable cork. There were just 75 cases scheduled to be produced. Note: This Port has been in the cellars of Real Companhia Velha for 55 years. It was previously kept at the original cellars of Port shippers Miguel Sousa Guedes & Irmãos (the owners of Quinta das Carvalhas at that time), which were taken over in 1953 by Manuel da Silva Reis, owner of Real Companhia Velha since 1960.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast