Lemos & Van Zeller

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two reviews

Following a long family tradition of over 200 years, Cristiano van Zeller has been making Port Wines in the Douro region since 1982. In these already long years of winemaking, tasting and enjoying different Ports he tried to find some blends that he would be keen to have in his cellar for an everyday glass.

de Zellaer Reserve (Unfiltered)

From his own two vineyards, Vale da Mina and Vale D. Maria, located in the far hills of the Douro, Cristiano van Zeller bottled this Port, unfined and unfiltered, as his personal reserve. Issued from wines that were vinified foot trodden in old granite stone “lagares” and aged in old wooden vats, this unfiltered “Reserve” is bottled only once every year, on the date shown on the label. This Port shows a great structure with intense fruity character and soft ripe tannins. It was specifically bottled to age in bottle for many years to come but it can be thoroughly enjoyed now. It will throw a deposit with bottle age. Please serve carefully. 

SKU +546077

NB as of 2003 bottled as Quinta do Vale Dona Maria Reserve Port

de Zellaer 1987 Vintage Port

Looking back in time to the 80’s, Cristiano van Zeller recalled the excitement with which the 1987 harvest was received. It was a very dry year, typical of the decade, with a lower than average yield but producing very healthy and perfectly matured grapes. The resulting Ports were of great power combined with a unique finesse and velvety and smooth tannins, with a very long fruity finish. A classical year had it not been too close to the 1985 and 1982/3 big declarations. “Perhaps my favorite year of the decade.” “de Zellaer” Vintage Ports will only be offered to the market after a minimum of 10 years of age and will be selected from some of the best Port producers. This 1987 Vintage Port produced by the Barros family is a typical example of that year. It shows the great mature red fruit intensity that, combined with a solid structure, smooth tannins and some perfect 10 years of bottle maturity will allow it to be greatly enjoyed now or still age for a very long time to come.

SKU +546085

de Zellaer 1989 Vintage Port

Review to follow...

SKU +586982