Originating from 19th-century vines, Rubens Menin – Very Very Old Tawny emerges as a wine of absolute rarity.
Menin Douro Estates unveils an extraordinary release: Rubens Menin – Port Very Very Old Tawny, a Port wine born from pre-phylloxera vines planted in the mid-1800s, when Douro viticulture was still untouched by modern transformations. The vineyard included forgotten grape varieties such as Malvasia Preta and Donzelinho Tinto.
Over nearly 150 years, the wine aged silently in chestnut and oak casks before being rediscovered by Menin Douro Estates’ winemakers. The team describes the process as almost archaeological — uncovering and restoring “liquid diamonds” that preserve the Douro’s living memory.
“Working with wines that have crossed so many decades is a true honor and a craft of patience and precision,” says winemaker Tiago Alves de Sousa. General director Fásia Braga calls it “a rare Douro heritage we were privileged to uncover and reveal.”
Deep amber with greenish hues, the wine offers complex aromas of aged heather honey, subtle spices and marine notes. Only 200 bottles of 500 ml will be available en primeur, reserved for collectors and fine Port enthusiasts.
Through this release, Menin Douro Estates continues its mission to preserve exceptional wines and honor the legacy of the Douro Valley.
Photo: Courtesy of Menin Douro Estates
