Marques de Marialva Aguardente Vínica Velha XO 20 Anos 500ml

Crafted in the historic Bairrada wine region of Portugal, Marquês de Marialva XO 20 Anos is a flagship aged grape brandy produced by Adega Cooperativa de Cantanhede, one of Portugal’s most celebrated cooperative wineries founded in 1954. Made exclusively from selected regional white grape varieties—predominantly Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires) and Bical—harvested from clay-limestone soils, the base wines undergo meticulous vinification without added sulfites to maintain absolute purity for distillation. The wine is distilled using traditional copper alembic stills, capturing a clean, fragrant aguardente vínica (wine spirit). The spirit is then aged for a minimum of 20 years in seasoned French Limousin oak and Portuguese oak casks (Quercus robur / pyrenaica). Over two decades of oak maturation in Cantanhede's climate yields an exceptionally complex, velvety aguardente velha, balancing tertiary notes of cigar box, dried fruit, dark chocolate, and toasted nuts with a delicate rancio character.

Food Pairing: Dark chocolate tarts, roasted almonds, aged Portuguese cheeses (such as Queijo de Azeitão or Queijo da Serra da Estrela), dried figs and dates, cigar pairings, or traditional Portuguese egg-yolk desserts (ovos moles).

Tasting Notes: Deep topaz-amber in appearance with brilliant copper and mahogany reflections, a velvety medium-to-full body, and slow, pronounced tears.

Nose: Intensely aromatic, complex, and noble, opening with dried fruits (figs, raisins, and dried plums), orange blossom honey, and toasted almonds, accompanied by polished wood, leather, dark cocoa, subtle vanilla bean, and a refined rancio lift.

Palate: Silky, round, and rich on the palate, featuring caramelized sugar, dried fruit conserve, and sweet oak upfront before unfolding into dark chocolate, toasted hazelnut, tobacco leaf, cinnamon, and subtle nutmeg spice.

Finish: Exceptionally long, warm, and sophisticated with lingering notes of sweet noble oak, dried apricot, dark cocoa, and a dry, lingering spice warmth.

Serve: Enjoy neat at room temperature (18°C–20°C) in a classic brandy snifter or tulip-shaped tasting glass, allowing it to rest for a few minutes to unlock its full aromatic depth.