Messias Vintage Port 2003

Messias Vintage Port originates from Portugal's renowned Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its steep terraced vineyards and rich winemaking history. The region's unique microclimate and schist soils provide ideal conditions for cultivating traditional Portuguese grape varieties, contributing to the complexity and depth characteristic of Vintage Ports.

This vintage port comprise a blend of indigenous varieties Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão. The 2003 vintage is noted for its full-bodied structure, offering a fine aroma and taste.

In 2003, the Douro Valley experienced a hot and dry growing season, leading to early ripening and concentrated fruit flavours. After hand-harvesting, the grapes underwent traditional foot treading in granite lagares to extract colour and tannins. Fermentation was halted by adding grape spirit, preserving natural sweetness and fortifying the wine. The wine was then aged in old barrels, where it developed its remarkable notes of wild ripe fruits and a subtle and pleasant vanilla touch.

This vintage presents aromas of wild berries combined with spices, leading to a long and persistent finish. On the palate, it reveals tannins of great personality, offering smoothness.

This vintage port pairs exceptionally well with rich blue cheeses, decadent chocolate desserts, or can be enjoyed on its own as an after-dinner drink. It's recommended to decant the wine to separate any sediment and allow it to breathe, serving at a temperature of 16-18°C.