1987 Martinez Vintage Port with a mature character
The 1987 Martinez Vintage Port is an older Vintage Port from the Douro region that is particularly interesting because of its long aging in the bottle. Martinez is one of the historic port houses and is often associated with an elegant style. With a bottle from 1987, it’s tempting to focus solely on its age, but the storage conditions tell just as much about what you’ll ultimately taste.
The Story of the Class of 1987
In the Douro, vineyards are situated on steep slopes along the river. The climate there is warm and dry, while the elevation and location of the plots result in significant differences. The 1987 vintage is not generally considered one of the great “Vintage” years. That is precisely why a Martinez from this year is an interesting addition to a tasting featuring better-known vintages such as 1985.
Vintage Port is bottled after a relatively short period in cask and then continues to age in the bottle. During this long aging process, the young, dark fruit flavors can gradually evolve into aromas of dried fruits, spices, and nuts. The tannins may soften and the color may evolve. However, this is not guaranteed for every bottle. A good cork and cool, stable storage are important, especially after nearly four decades.
Aroma and taste
Depending on the condition of the bottle, notes of prunes, figs, cocoa, coffee, and walnuts may come to the fore. The flavor may exhibit a softer, more rounded structure than when the wine was younger. A lighter hue is characteristic of longer aging.
Serving and Pairing
Stand the bottle upright beforehand and decant it carefully to separate any sediment. Serve at around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Pair it with a nut-based dessert or blue cheese, or taste it on its own to discover its aged flavors.
Discover more
Compare with 1982 Martinez Vintage, 1985 Martinez Vintage and 1985 Fonseca Vintage. Discover our Vintage Ports.
