The complete package at an exceptional price
Deep purple with a burgundy red rim. Purity of fruit on the nose, with great freshness, vibrancy and exuberance. Dark plum, wild strawberry, cherry, hints of thyme and a touch of cracked black pepper. On the palate, tarragon, rich red plum, strawberry and blackberry, with a touch of cassis, overlaid with a rich coffee bean tone. Gentle tannins, wonderfully integrated into the wine, with a generous fresh and balanced finish. Delightful!
Founded in 1588, Croft is one of the original founding Port Houses and occupies a place of great distinction in history as the oldest firm still active today as a Port wine producer. The story of the House of Croft enjoys a rich heritage and history spanning over four centuries. It remains a family managed company, dedicated to the production of the finest Ports of all styles. Quinta da Roźda, the jewel of Douro Valley vineyards, acquired by Croft in 1889 is integral to the House's vintage wines and contains some of the oldest vineyards in the Douro Valley. Winemaker David Guimaraens is constantly striving for innovation in the vineyards and the winery, through the use of a wider number of grape varieties to maintain complexity and individuality, as well as improving the way the vines are planted in the vineyards. Maintaining its ever pioneering spirit, the House created the first Pink Port, made from the traditional red Port grapes. Designed to be served chilled over ice, or as part of a refreshing summer cocktail. Croft has fully embraced wine tourism in the area, with a visitor centre to welcome guests, providing one of the most comprehensive, genuine and traditional visits in the region.
The viticultural year in the Douro Valley began with a very wet spring. In April and May, 249mm of rain fell at Croft's Quinta da Roźda estate in the Douro Valley, nearly three times the average for the last decade. This rainfall was welcome after the very dry conditions in 2015 and helped restore ground water reserves at Roźda and throughout the Douro Valley. As a result of the cool, wet spring conditions, the ripening season started late. The first colouring of the grapes was observed around 11th July and coincided with the onset of very hot, dry weather which continued until mid-September. During the ripening season, the weather station at Quinta da Roźda recorded 13 days with temperatures exceeding 40°C. In spite of the heat, owing to abundant ground water reserves and the late cycle, maturation was slow and even. At the end of August, most grapes were far from ripe. In mid-September, a spell of rain helped accelerate and complete the ripening process. In the second half of September and well into October, the weather remained fine, providing ideal harvesting conditions. Low night-time temperatures helped to extend fermentation times and allow for gradual and gentle extraction, a factor which contributed to the elegance and finesse of the 2016 wines and the quality of the tannins. Picking at Croft's Quinta da Roźda started on 17th September.
he House of Croft has been an important player in this style of Port for many
years. The wines used to blend Croft LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of
the best full bodied red ports, produced at this harvest, from grapes grown on
Croft's own vineyard, Quinta da Roźda, and other top properties in the Cima
Corgo and Douro Superior areas. Unlike vintage port, which is bottled after only
two years in wood and ages in bottle, LBV is aged in wood and then blended
after 6 years and is ready to drink when bottled. The blending process ensures
that the wine is balanced and complete and that there is continuity of style in
relation to previous Croft LBVs
Croft LBV is the perfect finish to any meal. It does not need to be decanted and should be served in a generously proportioned wine glass so that its rich fruity nose can be enjoyed to the full. Excellent with fully flavoured cheeses, especially blue cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort. It is also delicious with desserts made with chocolate or berry fruits.
