Delaforce Late Bottled Vintage Port

Delaforce Late Bottled Vintage Port is a 20% ABV Douro LBV Port in a 750ml bottle, blended from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Roriz. Earning 88 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold medal at Mundus Vini 2005, this expression draws its character from traditional foot treading in granite lagares — a method that maximizes extraction and delivers remarkable depth for an LBV-tier Port.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro, Portugal (Cima Corgo)  |  LBV Port, aged 4–6 years in oak  |  Producer: Real Companhia Velha (Delaforce)

Production & Heritage

Delaforce was established in 1868 and is now owned by Real Companhia Velha, one of the oldest Port wine companies in the Douro, founded in 1756. The grapes for this LBV are sourced from the Rio Torto and Roncão Valleys in the Cima Corgo sub-region, where the terroir produces concentrated fruit. After hand harvesting, the grapes are foot trodden in traditional granite lagares — shallow stone tanks whose proportions ensure maximum contact between the must and grape skins. Regular punch-downs during this stage drive deep color and tannin extraction. Fermentation is halted through the addition of grape spirit (aguardente), locking in residual sweetness, and the resulting wine is then aged for four to six years in seasoned oak vats before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a wave of ripe plum and fresh dark berries, followed by sweet liquorice and an underlying dried-fruit complexity. With time in the glass, subtle hints of fig and warm spice emerge.

Taste: The entry is boldly fruity, dominated by jammy damson and plum that coat the palate. At mid-palate, round, well-integrated tannins lend structure without harshness, while dark berry preserves and dried fig add layers of sweetness. The overall impression is of a perfectly balanced Port — generous and ripe without being cloying.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering plum and raisin sweetness and gentle warmth from the 20% ABV. A juicy, slightly spiced aftertaste keeps the finish lively and inviting.

How to Drink Delaforce LBV

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C (61–64°F) — to let the fruit shine without excessive alcoholic heat. This LBV is ideal for sipping neat as a dessert wine or after-dinner pour. It also performs well in cocktail applications: try it in a Port Tonic, where the berry and plum intensity stands up to tonic water and a citrus twist; in a Porto Flip, shaken with an egg yolk, sugar, and nutmeg for a rich, velvety classic; or in a Portonic Spritz variation over ice with sparkling water and a sprig of fresh mint for a lighter warm-weather serve.

Best For

• Serving as a dessert course alongside chocolate or blue cheese
• Gifting a Port wine enthusiast looking beyond entry-level ruby
• After-dinner sipping with guests during autumn and winter gatherings
• Building a Port collection that represents traditional Douro winemaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Delaforce LBV taste like? Delaforce LBV delivers a richly fruity profile dominated by jammy plum, damson, and dark berries, with supporting notes of dried fig, liquorice, and raisins wrapped in round, smooth tannins.

How does Delaforce LBV compare to Taylor's Late Bottled Vintage Port? Both are Douro LBV Ports, but Taylor's tends toward a firmer, more structured style with higher tannin grip, while Delaforce leans softer and more fruit-forward with rounder tannins and pronounced jammy sweetness. The choice often comes down to preference for power versus plushness.

Is Delaforce LBV good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced sweetness, moderate tannins, and 20% ABV make it very approachable on its own, especially when served slightly chilled to around 16–18°C.

Where is Delaforce LBV made? Delaforce LBV is produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal, with grapes sourced from the Rio Torto and Roncão Valleys within the prized Cima Corgo sub-region. The wine is made under Real Companhia Velha, which has operated in the Douro since 1756.

What foods pair well with Delaforce LBV? Dark chocolate and chocolate-based desserts highlight the Port's berry richness. Stilton or Roquefort blue cheese creates a classic sweet-savory contrast. Roasted walnuts echo the wine's dried-fruit depth. Baked figs with honey mirror the fig notes in the glass. Smoked duck or cured meats provide a savory counterpoint to the Port's sweetness.

What sizes does Delaforce LBV come in? Delaforce Late Bottled Vintage Port is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Delaforce LBV worth the price? Delaforce LBV positions as a mid-range LBV Port, sitting above basic ruby Port in complexity and aging but below single-vintage or Vintage Ports in price. With oak aging of four to six years and traditional lagar production, it represents strong value within the LBV category.

Why Delaforce LBV?

What separates this Port from many competitors at the LBV level is the traditional foot-treading process in granite lagares, a labor-intensive method more commonly associated with premium Vintage and single-quinta Ports. That hands-on extraction, combined with four to six years of oak maturation, yields a richness and complexity that punches above its class. The blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Roriz — the three cornerstone Douro varietals — ensures typicity and depth. Backed by an 88-point score from Wine Enthusiast and international medal recognition, Delaforce LBV delivers a credible, traditionally made Douro Port that rewards both casual drinkers and serious collectors alike.