Grandjo Late Harvest
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release, over which it develops complex tertiary notes of honey, wax, and dried fruits.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Blue cheese, apricot tart, foie gras
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from the historic Quinta do Casal da Granja on the high-altitude plateau of Alijó, Grandjó Late Harvest represents a fascinating anomaly in the hot, rugged Douro Valley. Here, cooler temperatures and morning mists create the perfect microclimate for the development of Botrytis cinerea, or 'noble rot'—a rare phenomenon in Portugal. Real Companhia Velha masterfully harnesses this gift of nature using Sémillon grapes. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested in successive passes to select only those perfectly affected by the rot. The resulting must undergoes a slow fermentation and aging in French oak, yielding a luscious dessert wine rich in notes of candied orange peel, honey, apricot, and subtle toasted oak, balanced by a vibrant, refreshing acidity.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1756 by Royal Charter of King José I under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal, Real Companhia Velha is Portugal's oldest wine company, representing over two and a half centuries of uninterrupted Port and Douro wine production. Based in Vila Nova de Gaia with extensive vineyard holdings across the Douro Valley—including prestigious estates like Quinta das Carvalhas and Quinta de Cidro—the company combines deep-seated tradition with modern winemaking techniques. They are globally renowned for their exceptional Port wines, ranging from complex Aged Tawnies to structured Vintages, alongside a highly acclaimed portfolio of still Douro reds and whites that showcase the region's diverse terroir. Official website: https://realcompanhiavelha.pt. Address: Rua Azevedo Magalhães 314, 4430-022 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.