Real Vinicola
Real Companhia Vinícola do Norte de Portugal, SA.
| Founded | 1889 |
|---|---|
| Owner | Silva Reis family |
Belonging to Real Companhia Velha.
Real Vinicola has the longest continuous history of any of today’s producers of Duoro wines. Founded in 1889 under contract with the Portuguese government, it was entrusted with the task of selling wines from various regions in northern Portugal, including Duoro red wines and port wines.
They bought Quinta do Sibio in 1934 and has declared this as Single Quinta Vintage Port. Quinta do Sibio was known as Quinta do Jordão and was planted by Jose Joaquim Pereri Jordão in the 1860s and 1870s. The quinta was in the hands of the Jordão family until 1934 when Real Companhia Vinícola purchased it.
Real Vinicola was bought by Real Comp. Velha in 1963, but the quinta was still sold under the Real Vinicola label.
| Real Vinicola Vintages: | 1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1967 (Real Comp. Velha), 1970 (Real Comp. Velha), 1977 (Real Comp. Velha), 1978 (Real Comp. Velha), 1979 (Real Comp. Velha), 1980 (Real Comp. Velha), 1982 (Real Comp. Velha), 1983 (Real Comp. Velha), 1985 (Real Comp. Velha), 1987 (Real Comp. Velha), 1994 (Real Comp. Velha), 1996 (Real Comp. Velha) |
|---|---|
| Quinta do Sibio Vintages: | 1934, 1938, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1970, 1977, 1982, 1985 |
| Sibio Vintages: | 2018, 2019 |
| Quinta do Jordao Vintages: | 1943, 1945, 1950, 1958 |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1955 |
| Colour | Dark with yellow mature colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Mulberry, cherry and plum in the nose. | Score range | 16.75 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and at its peak. Marvellous port with flavour of mulberry. Complex, elegant and a wonderful finish. This is a great port. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 23rd April 2011 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1960 |
| Colour | Yellow mature colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, cinnamon and burned sugar in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Crème caramel in flavour. Complex and elegant with a long and attractive finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 20th September 1998 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1963 |
| Colour | Mature almost tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Pepper, cacao, nuts and crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 14.75 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and maybe a little old. Nuts and toffee in flavour. Elegant and quite balanced with an attractive finish. | Average score | 15.66 |
| Last tasted | 23rd November 2013 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection. In 2005 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1967 |
| Colour | Mature yellow nearly tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, cinnamon, toffee and burned sugar in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and at its peak. Toffee in flavour and a long and very complex finish. Astonishing good port | Average score | 15.88 |
| Last tasted | 17th November 2011 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1970 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Burned sugar, old grocery shop and crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Mature at its peak. Nice flavour with complex and attractive finish. | Average score | 16.33 |
| Last tasted | 4th March 1991 | Point this date | 15.25 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen. | Tasters | SAI |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1977 |
| Colour | Quite dark with yellow rim colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice and cinnamon in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and maybe a little more. Sweet. Rather complex port. Balanced and a nice, attractive finish. | Average score | 15.50 |
| Last tasted | 4th November 2010 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection. In 2010 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel and burned sugar in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Quite mature and balanced. Easy to drink and like. Burned sugar in flavour and a light port with a nice finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 15th November 2012 | Point this date | 15.75 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection. *Defect bottle. Tasting notes from 25 December 1990. In 2012 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1979 |
| Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Pharmacy, old hospital and alcohol in the nose. | Score range | 14.00 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite old in flavour with some unbalanced alcohol. Nice finish and quite drinkable. | Average score | 14.50 |
| Last tasted | 28th February 2013 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Semi-Great Tasting in Malmö. *This bottle was unbalanced with acidic acid. Tasting notes is from the 1 August 2005. In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1980 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Unbalanced. Alcoholic and vinegar in the nose. | Score range | 14.50 - 14.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature. Acidic and vinegar in flavour. Unbalanced finish. I have had a decent bottle in 1988. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 3rd April 2014 | Point this date | 11.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection. This bottle was defect and so have the last 2 bottles been. In 1988 I had an acceptable bottle. In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1982 |
| Colour | Yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 18 |
| Bouquet | Christmas raisin, violets, toffee, cream candy, crème caramel, plums, cinnamon and a hint of liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 14.25 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking with some wonderful old acidity in. Raisin violets, old grocery shop in flavour but also liquorice, cream candy and crème caramel. Sweet. Easy to drink and like. Quite elegant and balanced with a quite long and attractive finish. | Average score | 15.23 |
| Last tasted | 13th August 2023 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | Tasted with some friends on Öland, Sweden. 3 bottles have been defect. In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1983 |
| Colour | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Complex pharmacy and old hospital in the nose. | Score range | 14.50 - 14.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Immature and lots of tannin. Mulberry in flavour. Sweet. Easy to drink and to like Long finish. Will be much better. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 16th March 2017 | Point this date | 14.50 |
| Comment | In the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. *This bottle was defect. Tasting note from 7 March 1988 but even at that time this port was a disappointment. In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1984 |
| Colour | Still rather dark but mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Dates, prunes, figs, leather and cream candy in the nose. | Score range | 15.40 - 15.40 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature but with some unbalanced acidity – tannins? Rather tasty and elegant. Toffee in taste. Easy to drink and quite enjoyable with a nice and quiet long finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 19th February 2015 | Point this date | 15.40 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Semi-Great tasting in Malmö In 2015 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1985 |
| Colour | Mature yellow almost tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 9 |
| Bouquet | Red berries, candy and a hint of pharmacy in the nose. | Score range | 14.25 - 15.00 |
| Taste | Hardly medium body. Mature and at least peaking even a bit tired but almost balanced and quite drinkable. Rather easy to drink with sweetness and a nice but rather short finish. | Average score | 14.58 |
| Last tasted | 19th September 2020 | Point this date | 14.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. *5 bottles have been defect. In 2020 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1987 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Lovely old grocery shop in the nose but also cream candy, herbs and toffee | Score range | 14.75 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and on top. Sweet and easy to like. Balanced and tasty with a very elegant, long and attractive finish. A lovely port indeed! | Average score | 15.06 |
| Last tasted | 17th November 2022 | Point this date | 14.75 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. In 2022 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Spiciness and herbs in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Lovely very round tannins and will maybe be better. Balanced very tasty with spiciness and herbs in mouth and with a lovely, quite long and rather attractive finish. Very easy to drink and enjoy. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 31st October 2021 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
Old Colheita/Tawny tasting notes:
| House | Real Vinicola | Garrafeira | 1847 |
| Colour | Beautiful tawny in colour with an lime-green edge. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Elegant bouquet of hospital, pharmacy and nuts. | Bottled | |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and of course old but still an elegant port with taste of nuts and toffee. Complex with some alcohol in flavour. Attractive and exciting finish. | Score range | 17.00 - 17.00 |
| Last tasted | 20th September 2012 | Point this date | 17.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola | Colheita | 1944 |
| Colour | Tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Torched sugar, crème candy and crème caramel in a complex bouquet. | Bottled | 1982 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and very tasty. Elegant and balanced with a complex and very long finish. | Score range | |
| Last tasted | 19th May 2011 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola | Colheita | 1951 |
| Colour | Tawny in colour with an olive-green rim. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Rather sky bouquet with candy, cashew nuts and burned candy in the nose | Bottled | 1972 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and quite elegant. Candy in taste. Rather short and not so impressive finish but quite good and easy to drink. | Score range | |
| Last tasted | 27th February 2014 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |