Ramos Pinto, The Collector Ruby Port.

The Collector, an unfiltered vintage character port is a blend of several excellent vintages aged in wood for about six years. The wine retains its delicate fruity aromas while gaining the patina and roundness of age. The Collector gives wine drinkers the opportunity to experience a vintage quality wine without laying it down for years.

The Collector is produced with grapes mainly from the Quinta da Urtiga, located in the Cima-Cargo sub-region on the left bank of the River Douro in the Torto Valley. This 37-acre vineyard is home to 30-year-old vines mixed varietals, hugging the steep hillside in traditional horizontal terraces supported by stone walls. The soil is very stony at the surface and planting requires breaking down the rock approximately three feet from the surface. The must fermentation is done by the maceration with automatic remounting for better extraction. After four to five days, the fermentation is stopped once the brandy is added. The Collector is not submitted to any kind of treatment process such as; fining or filtration. This ultimately provides the wine with a better structure, aroma and aging potential. At the same time, this wine is more liable to create sediment.

This ruby port has a vibrant youthful colour, with a red-brown rim that is the only visual concession to maturity. It has full aromas unveiling dry plum, fig and berry scents with a touch of pepper. On the palate, the attack is soft and succulent. This is a rich, subtle wine with a fine, generous structure and remarkable persistence.

The Collector is an excellent accompaniment to mild cheeses and sweet dark chocolate.