The XIX – The Rare Port Collection represents the pinnacle of Van Zellers & Co's legacy and one of the rarest Port releases ever created. Limited to just 75 individually numbered collections worldwide, it is not simply a collection of extraordinary wines, but a tribute to over four centuries of the Van Zeller family's history in the Douro Valley.
Cristiano Van Zeller, the 14th generation of a family continuously producing Port and Douro wines since 1620, has dedicated more than forty years to mastering the art of Port blending. Working alongside generations of the family's legendary provadores (master blenders), he has developed an exceptional ability to recognise the character and potential of some of the Douro's oldest wines. The XIX Collection is the culmination of this lifetime of experience.
Rather than producing new blends, Cristiano carefully discovered and preserved three exceptional Very Very Old Ports that had been quietly ageing in historic Douro cellars for generations. Each wine tells a different chapter of Portuguese and Van Zeller family history, transforming liquid heritage into an unforgettable tasting experience.
The first wine, Crafted by Liberty, dates back to around 1860, the year Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. It celebrates the universal idea of liberty and is remarkable for its extraordinary elegance, freshness and aromatic complexity, revealing notes of cedar, lavender, black pepper, saffron, liquorice and forest herbs.
The second, Crafted by Family, originates from around 1870, commemorating the marriage of two branches of the Van Zeller family that would shape future generations. Rich, expressive and remarkably vibrant despite its age, it honours the family's enduring connection to the Douro.
The third, Crafted by Poetry, dates from around 1888, the birth year of Portugal's greatest poet, Fernando Pessoa. Deeply concentrated yet perfectly balanced by remarkable freshness and a subtle saline finish, it demonstrates the extraordinary longevity that only the world's finest Ports can achieve.
Every aspect of the XIX Collection reflects the same philosophy of rarity and craftsmanship. Each of the three Ports is presented in a unique hand-blown glass bottle created by Portuguese master artisans. The collection is accompanied by bespoke crystal decanters crafted by Vista Alegre Atlantis, while individually designed silver neckpieces are produced by Leitão & Irmão, the historic Portuguese Royal Jeweller founded in the nineteenth century.
The XIX – The Rare Port Collection is far more than a collector's item. It is the unveiling of more than 150 years of patient ageing, four centuries of family heritage and one of the most exclusive expressions of Port ever released. With only 75 collections produced worldwide, it stands as a true piece of Portuguese wine history.
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