La Reserve College Cellars, 1871 Vintage Port
La Reserve College Cellars Vintage Port, DOC Douro
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 20%
Price:
£645.00
Description
The 1871 La Réserve College Cellars Vintage Port is an almost mythical bottle, representing more than 150 years of Douro winemaking history. Crafted just six years after the end of the American Civil War and during the reign of Queen Victoria, this wine comes from an era when Port was made entirely by hand—grapes foot-trodden in granite lagares and transported downriver by rabelo boats. Surviving examples of any 19th-century Vintage Port are rare; a bottle from 1871 in collectible condition is a true treasure, offering a direct, liquid connection to the Douro’s golden age.
In the glass, a Port of this age would likely display a deep mahogany-brown core shading to amber and green at the rim, a classic indicator of extreme maturity. The bouquet would be profoundly complex and hauntingly delicate, with layers of dried fig, date, and sultana interwoven with molasses, walnut, and dark chocolate. Secondary and tertiary notes—orange peel, polished antique wood, tobacco leaf, fine coffee, and warm spice—would emerge with air, accompanied by the ethereal rancio character that comes only from over a century of slow, oxidative bottle ageing.
On the palate, a well-preserved 1871 La Réserve could be astonishingly harmonious, with sweetness perfectly balanced by remarkable acidity. Rich flavours of treacle, caramelised citrus, and dried fruit would be lifted by savoury undertones of leather, cedar, and nutmeg. The tannins, once powerful, would have softened into a silken texture, while the finish—likely lasting minutes—would leave lingering echoes of spice, nuts, and sweet fruit in perfect proportion.
This is a wine to approach with the utmost care and respect. It should be decanted very gently, only to remove sediment, and served slightly below room temperature in generous Port glasses to capture its full aromatic range. Many collectors would choose to savour it entirely on its own in quiet reflection, though it could also be paired with blue cheese, roasted almonds, or fine dark chocolate. The 1871 La Réserve College Cellars Vintage Port is not just a drink—it is a living artifact, an irreplaceable testament to the skill, resilience, and tradition of the Douro’s 19th-century winemakers.
Condition
Good level - pale colour
