Ruby Port - Crusted
Crusted Port is a hidden gem in the world of Port wines, offering a unique intersection between style and tradition. This uncommon, bottled-aged style retains the ruby-like fruit intensity while gaining a nuanced complexity from maturation. As its name suggests, Crusted Port develops a natural 'crust' or sediment in the bottle due to its unfiltered nature.
🏷️ What is Crusted Port?
Crusted Port is a blend of high-quality young Ports from two or three harvests. After aging in large oak vats for approximately two to four years, the wine is bottled unfiltered and sealed with a traditional driven cork. The term "crusted" refers to the natural sediment, or "crust," that forms in the bottle as the wine matures.
🛠️ Production and Aging
Blending: Combines wines from multiple vintages to achieve a harmonious profile.
Aging in Oak: Typically aged for 2–4 years in large oak vats, allowing the wine to develop character while retaining its fruitiness.
Bottling: Unfiltered and bottled with a driven cork, enabling further maturation in the bottle.
Bottle Aging: Requires at least three years of bottle aging before release, during which the wine develops complexity and a sediment forms.
🍇 Tasting Profile
Color: Deep ruby with garnet hues.
Aromas: Rich notes of dark fruits like plums and blackberries, interwoven with hints of spice and floral undertones.
Palate: Full-bodied and robust, featuring flavors of ripe berries, figs, and subtle spice, balanced by firm tannins and a long finish.
As the wine ages, it develops additional complexity, with tertiary notes of dried fruits, nuts, and leather emerging.
🔍 Crusted Port vs. Other Styles
| Style | Vintage Specific | Aging Vessel | Filtration | Aging Potential | Decanting Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crusted Port | No | Oak & Bottle | Unfiltered | Medium to High | Yes | Blend of vintages; develops sediment |
| LBV (Filtered) | Yes | Oak | Filtered | Low | No | Ready to drink on release |
| LBV (Unfiltered) | Yes | Oak & Bottle | Unfiltered | Medium | Yes | Can age further in bottle |
| Vintage Port | Yes | Bottle | Unfiltered | High | Yes | Only made in declared years; long aging |
🏆 Notable Producers
Fonseca: Known for its rich and full-bodied Crusted Ports.
Graham's: Offers Crusted Ports that are aged in bottle for several years before release, providing depth and maturity.
Niepoort: Produces Crusted Ports with a focus on freshness and elegance, often using grapes from old vineyards.
Churchill's: Their Crusted Ports are crafted with minimal intervention, showcasing the purity of the fruit.
🍽️ Serving and Pairing
Decanting: Essential to remove sediment and allow the wine to breathe.
Serving Temperature: Slightly below room temperature (16–18°C).
Food Pairings:
Hard cheeses like Cheddar or Manchego.
Dark chocolate desserts.
Roasted nuts or dried fruits.
🎁 Why Choose Crusted Port?
Crusted Port offers an excellent balance between quality and value. Its traditional production methods and aging potential make it an appealing choice for those looking to explore the depth of Port wines without the investment required for Vintage Ports.
-
-
Crusted Port offers a tantalizing blend of the vibrancy of Ruby Port and the mature complexity of Vintage Port. On the palate, Crusted Port typically displays intense flavors of ripe, red and black fruits like cherries, blackberries, and plums. As it ages, it develops further complexity, introducing hints of dried fruits, chocolate, spices, and a touch of savory character similar to that found in aged Vintage Ports.
The texture of Crusted Port is full-bodied and rich, often with a considerable tannic structure that softens and becomes more velvety over time. The finish can be remarkably long, leaving lingering flavors of fruit, spice, and a hint of sweetness. Despite its aging potential, Crusted Port maintains a robust freshness and fruitiness that contributes to its unique and enjoyable taste profile.
-
This wines is made of some of the best grapes, including:
Touriga Nacional: Considered Portugal's finest red grape, Touriga Nacional adds structure and body to the blend, offering deep color and flavors of black fruits and floral notes.
Touriga Franca: This variety contributes to the elegance and finesse of the wine, providing red fruit flavors and fragrant floral aromas.
Tinta Roriz (also known as Tempranillo in Spain): This grape contributes juicy red fruit flavors and good tannins to the blend.
Tinta Barroca: Known for its high sugar levels, Tinta Barroca imparts sweet flavors and helps boost the alcohol content of the wine.
Tinto Cão: This variety adds a touch of complexity and longevity to the blend.
-
Crusted port goes perfectly well with the following foods:
Cheeses: Crusted Port complements a variety of cheese, from blue cheeses like Roquefort or Stilton, to hard cheeses like Cheddar or Manchego. Its sweetness and robust flavor profile beautifully balance the strong, pungent flavors of these cheeses.
Desserts: Crusted Port's sweetness also makes it an excellent partner for desserts, especially those with dark chocolate, berries, or nuts. Chocolate fondant, blackberry pie, or almond tart would be excellent choices.
Meats: If you prefer a savory pairing, Crusted Port can stand up to rich, hearty dishes. Roast beef, lamb, or even game dishes would pair well, particularly if they have a sweet-savory element such as a fruit glaze or sauce.
Nuts and dried fruits: A classic pairing with any Port wine is a mix of nuts and dried fruits. The sweetness and richness of the wine complement these perfectly, making it an ideal end to a meal.
-
19-21%
-
As LBV’s don’t have the ability to grow in complexity or style, we recommend to store LBV’s in a dark and cold place, up to max 12 degrees. After opening an LBV is good for another 2 max 3 weeks.
