2020 | Van Zellers & Co. CV Curriculum Vitae | Douro | Portugal

A century-old field-blend Douro red — over 25 grape varieties from one vineyard, foot-trodden in stone lagares.

"CV" stands for Curriculum Vitae — Van Zellers & Co's tribute to the wines that mark a winemaker's life. It comes from a single vineyard in the Torto River valley, planted around a century ago to more than 25 varieties co-mingled in the old Douro way: Rufete, Tinta Amarela, Donzelinho Tinto, Tinta Francisca, Sousão, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional among them. Hand-picked, destemmed, foot-trodden in granite lagares, then 21 months in 75% new French oak.

A true old-vine Douro field blend is one of Europe's great values. Century-old single vineyard, 25+ varieties, foot-trodden in lagares → deep, spiced, structured → you're drinking the Douro's oldest tradition.

• Douro field blend — 25+ varieties (Rufete, Tinta Amarela, Donzelinho, Sousão, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional...)
• Torto River valley, Douro — Portugal
• Van Zellers & Co. — "CV — Curriculum Vitae"
• ~100-year-old single vineyard · granite lagares · 21 months, 75% new French oak

Violet and dark red in the glass, with blackcurrant, black cherry, plum and spice on the nose over an extremely balanced, fine palate and a long, fruity finish. Translation: a deep, finely balanced Douro red — dark fruit and spice with real elegance rather than brute power, carried by a long fruity close. Old-vine complexity from a field blend no one could replant today.

A century-old Douro field blend. Exactly the bottle for game, veal, grilled or stewed pork, or roasted vegetables.