Andresen Porto

Founded in 1845, the J.H. Andresen port winery in Vila Nova de Gaia is one of the last great Portuguese houses to remain entirely family-owned. For generations, the name has stood for handcrafted, authentic Tawny Ports with a distinctive style. The Andresen Colheita 1991/2025 Special Selection is a single-harvest Tawny Port, made from high-quality wines of a single vintage. It matured for decades in small oak casks until its bottling in 2025, exhibiting the typical depth of an old Colheita Port. The current bottlings showcase intense notes of "vinagrinho," reminiscent of aged Ports, with aromatic hints of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and spicy orange peel. On the palate, it is unctuous and full-bodied, harmoniously balanced by a fresh acidity that adds vibrancy to its rich structure. The finish is very long, complex, and elegant. This port is particularly impressive when served neat at 16 to 18 °C as the crowning finale to a meal or with fine chocolate.

The venerable Andresen house from Vila Nova de Gaia has been synonymous with high-quality port wines from the Douro Valley since 1845, combining classic craftsmanship with meticulous cask aging. The Andresen Colheita 1997 Special Selection is made from a single vintage and is crafted from traditional Douro grape varieties such as Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, and Touriga Nacional. After fermentation, this Tawny Port matured for many years in old 600-liter oak casks before being bottled in 2025, allowing it to develop its elegant maturity and aromatic depth. In the glass, it displays a warm amber hue with golden reflections. The nose unfolds with complex aromas of dried fruit, nuts, and delicate spices, accompanied by hints of caramel and subtle oak notes. On the palate, it is soft and full-bodied with harmonious sweetness, a lively structure, and notes of dried fruit and roasted almonds. The finish is long, complex, and balanced with elegant maturity. This Colheita is particularly enjoyable slightly chilled, pairing beautifully with cheese, desserts, or as a delightful finale to a special meal.

The J. H. Andresen port wine house, located in northern Portugal, was founded in 1845 by Johann Hinrich Andresen, who came from the North Sea island of Föhr. For nearly 100 years, the Andresen family ran the port wine house until 1942, when they were forced to sell the company to the Portuguese port wine producer Albino Peirera dos Santos. He already owned four small, family-run port wine houses, which he later also renamed Andresen. His grandson, Carlos Flores dos Santos, is the current owner of Andresen, making it one of the few port wine houses that remains 100% family-owned. Today, all of J. H. Andresen's grapes come from Quinta das Aranhas, near the Tua River, in the heart of the Douro region. This wonderful Andresen Tawny Port 10YO developed its full and impressive character during its 10 years of maturation in wooden casks in the old Andresen cellars dating back to the 19th century. The nose is greeted by beautiful aromas of dried fruit, vanilla, nuts, and ripe raisins. The palate reveals a good maturity with nutty and decidedly robust notes, culminating in a long, lingering finish.

Aged white ports are considered exotic, yet they perfectly capture the imagination of newcomers. They reveal oak notes framed by tropical fruits, with a ripe and aromatic nose. An exceptional wine that is truly one of a kind. The Andresen port wine house played a pioneering role in the field of white ports, and their pioneering work has certainly paid off.

The J. H. Andresen Port wine house was founded in 1845 by Jann Hinrich Andresen. Originally from the island of Föhr, he sought his fortune in Porto at a young age. With hard work and a keen business sense, he dedicated himself to producing high-quality port wines. For nearly 100 years, the Andresen family ran the port wine house until, in 1942, they were forced to sell the company to the Portuguese family of Albino Peirera dos Santos. To this day, Andresen remains one of the few port wine houses that is 100% family-owned. The grapes for Andresen port wines come from the 40 hectares of vineyards at Quinta das Aranhas, near the Tua River in the heart of the Douro region. Andresen was the first port wine house to market a 10-year-old white port aged in old oak barrels. This Andresen White Port 20YO impressively expands the Andresen range of exceptional port wines. Delightful notes of peach, apricot, acacia honey, and cedarwood caress the nose and palate. A light, pleasant acidity rounds off the dried fruit aromas and culminates in a mature and lingering finish.