Intense colour, dense red with violet hues. Exuberant, generous and quite fruity. Dominant aromas of ripe grape and red fruits, with notes of dark chocolate perfectly combined with a fine hint of tobacco. A full-bodied wine, vigorous, peppery, rich in ripe fruit and firm, smooth tannins that give it an excellent complexity. Long, harmonious finish.

The grapes, picked manually and placed in small containers, are taken to the lagar (trough), where they are trodden by foot. Fermentation lasts for 3 to 5 days, producing a wine with an excellent extraction. The wine is aged in Vila Nova de Gaia, in approximately 15,000-litre vats. The blend was made in February 2008 and was filled in May of the same year. The LBV 2004 is a traditional LBV that does not undergo any hot or cold treatment or filtration. This retains the full potential of the existing fruit as well as a long ageing process.

Serving:

A good accompaniment to game dishes, cheese soufflé, Serra cheese or other full-fat cheeses and chocolate desserts.

Serve between 18º and 22º C.

Grape Variety:

Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca

Technical Characteristics:

ABV - 19.74%

Residual Sugar - 91 g/l

History:

Founded in 1880 by brothers Adriano and Antonio, this Port house has always had a pioneering spirit. In the early 20th century it became noted for its innovative and enterprising commercial strategies including the distinctive art nouveau advertising campaign.

Among Port producers, Ramos Pinto enjoys the distinction of holding the largest proportion of vineyards in relation to its production, giving them a high degree of control over viticultural methods at harvest time. The House tends 187 hectares (460 acres) of prime vineyards in the Alto Corgo and Douro Superior areas of the famed Douro region, the mountainous valleys formed by the Douro River and its tributaries.

All situated in the areas of the Cima-Corgo and the Douro Superior, the four quintas or estates that make up Ramos Pinto’s holdings are:

Quinta do Bom Retiro: in Pinhão, planted exclusively with red varieties.

Quinta da Urtiga: adjacent to Bom Retiro.

Quinta da Ervamoira: in the far upper Douro, by the Côa river near the Spanish border. Here the grapes grow in dry semi-desert conditions.

Quinta dos Bons Ares: a cooler site with some of the highest vineyards in the Douro. Both red and white varieties ripen here with great natural acidity and fresh flavours.

The award-winning 10, 20 and 30 year old Tawnies are produced at Quinta da Ervamoira and Bom Retiro respectively.