Caves São João Porta dos Cavaleiros Red 1980

Porta dos Cavaleiros Red 1980 is a mature Portuguese red wine from the Dão, released by Caves São João, a historic house better known for Bairrada. Bottles this old from Portugal are rare, and this one is a direct line to how Dão reds were made more than forty years ago.

Tasting notes

Tasters on the For the Love of Port forum found a dark, almost opaque colour, pepper, raspberry, blackberry and a hint of liquorice, with firm tannins still alive and a long finish. Richard Mayson called it a "classic mature Dão" in a World of Fine Wine tasting. It needs about an hour of air to open. With old bottles, some variation is normal.

Food pairing

Pair it with roast kid, a slow-cooked game dish, duck rice, or an aged Serra da Estrela cheese.

About Caves São João

Caves São João is a family house from Bairrada, famous for keeping old vintages in its cellars. Porta dos Cavaleiros is its Dão label, made from fruit grown in the Dão and bottled at around 12.5% alcohol.

Good to know

• Serve at 16-18 °C. Stand the bottle upright a day before, and decant gently to leave the sediment behind. Best drunk the day it is opened.
• 75 cl bottle, red wine, vintage 1980.
• A great birthday or anniversary gift for someone born in 1980.