Garrafeira Particular, 1937 Colheita Port
Garrafeira Particular, Vinho Generoso Colheita 1937
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 20%

Price:
£395.00
Description
1937 Garrafeira Particular, Vinho Generoso – Colheita 1937
A truly remarkable piece of Portuguese winemaking history, this 1937 Garrafeira Particular Vinho Generoso represents one of the rarest surviving fortified wines from the pre-war era. The term Vinho Generoso — used traditionally for sweet fortified wines — indicates a style akin to Colheita or Garrafeira Port, produced from a single vintage and aged for decades in oak before bottling.
Now approaching ninety years of age, it displays a deep mahogany-brown core with an amber-green rim — a classic sign of long oxidative ageing. The nose is breathtakingly complex: walnut, fig, molasses, and antique wood mingle with layers of coffee, orange zest, dried apricot, and tobacco leaf. Subtle notes of rancio — that unique savoury nuttiness from extended cask ageing — bring depth and elegance.
On the palate, it is silky, concentrated, and endlessly layered, showing flavours of toffee, burnt sugar, caramelised nuts, and dried fruit, supported by a bright thread of acidity that keeps the sweetness perfectly balanced. The finish is long, warm, and hauntingly persistent, leaving impressions of honey, spice, and roasted almond that linger for minutes.
This is not merely a wine but a time capsule — a living fragment of Portugal’s winemaking legacy, preserved in cask for generations.
Serving Suggestions
Serve lightly chilled (14–16 °C) to highlight both aromatic finesse and richness. Decant carefully if any fine sediment is present.
Pair with walnut tart, crème caramel, or dark chocolate desserts. It also shines alongside blue cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort, or aged Portuguese queijo da Serra. For a refined savoury option, try with foie gras or toasted almonds.
Once opened, it will keep beautifully for a month or more if re-corked and stored in a cool, dark place.
Condition
Good condition - level 4.5cm below cork