From the first glance to the endless finish, APICIVS 1972 reveals itself in layers of brilliance, unctuousness, and elegance.
Its colour transitions from amber to mahogany in a mesmerising dégradée. On the nose, a rare opulence: eucalyptus honey, balsamic fennel, honeysuckle, and hints of beeswax and tobacco leaf.
On the palate, it is unexpectedly fresh and silky, with echoes of dried citrus zest, butterscotch, and caramelised figs. The finish is endless — sweet, spicy, balsamic — with notes of crème brûlée, pepper, and eucalyptus blossom honey.
In stock
450,00 €
Bottled on its jubilee, this Colheita Port stands as a testament to time, mastery, and the unyielding quest for perfection. Each bottle captures a unique, unrepeatable moment, reserved for those who understand that some experiences are beyond acquisition – they are destined.
ORIGIN: Portugal | REGION: Douro | APPELLATION: Port (Protected Designation of Origin) | CATEGORY: Single Harvest | STYLE: Tawny |
COLOR: Red | VINTAGE: 1972 | BOTTLED IN: 2022 |
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 500
SOILS: Predominantly schist soils.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Due to the viticultural practices of the time, it is impossible to accurately identify all the grape varieties present in this Port wine. Back then, field blends were the norm — vineyards were often planted with numerous varieties side by side, sometimes even mixing white grapes among predominantly red varieties — and many indigenous varieties that remain unclassified or yet to be identified. Nevertheless, available records and empirical knowledge allow for the following composition to be suggested: the first five varieties account for over 60% of the blend, while the following six together represent at least 15% — Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Francesa (Touriga Franca), Touriga Nacional, Bastardo, Donzelinho Tinto, Malvasia Preta, Mourisco Tinto (Marufo), Tinta Amarela, Tinta Francisca, among others.
OENOLOGY: Exclusive blend of Port wines from the 1972 harvest, originating from two casks acquired by the House in 2018: one of 605 litres, with 302 litres remaining, and another of 523 litres, with 236 litres remaining. Preserved until 2022, they aged for approximately 50 years in second-use French oak. Pre-filtered and bottled in July 2022.
SERVICE: 12 – 16ºC / 54 – 61ºF
PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSES
ALCOHOL CONTENT (% vol.): 19,89%
pH: 3,91
TOTAL ACIDITY (g/L as TARTARIC ACID): 9,4
TOTAL SUGARS (g/L): 180
PACKAGING LOGISTICS
BOTTLE CAPACITY (mL): 750
EMPTY BOTTLE WEIGHT(g): 772
FILLED BOTTLE WEIGHT (g): 1350
BOTTLES/GIFT-BOX (unit): 1
GIFT-BOX GROSS WEIGHT (g): 1725
GIFT-BOX DIMENSIONS (mm): 99,5 x 322 x 99,5
GIFT-BOXES/CASE (units): 6
CASE GROSS WEIGHT (kg): 10,8
CASE DIMENSIONS (mm): 332 x 342 x 210
UPC (EAN-13): 5606545929728
SCC (EAN-14): 15606545929725
PACKAGING MATERIALS / SPECIFICATIONS:
BOTTLE: glass / labeled — premium paper, printed and embossed
CLOSURE: natural cork stopper — cylindrical, custom sized, Flor grade, inspected and smelled before final finishing
SEAL: synthetic flexible wax
GIFT-BOX: cardboard — coated with premium paper, printed, embossed, and hand-finished
CASE: kraft-laminated corrugated cardboard, printed
A deep olive-green rim encircles a broad amber halo, gently fading into a mahogany core tinged with red glints — a visual testament to half a century of ageing.
The nose reveals immediate olfactory opulence and remarkable freshness. Honey forms the backbone, layered with an intensely balsamic aroma of wild fennel. Honeysuckle floral notes follow — slightly herbal and sour — enriched by beeswax, tobacco leaf and pollen. Hints of pepper and curry add lift and tension. Subtle aromas of butterscotch and pine nuts unfold alongside eucalyptus blossom honey, well-dried straw and delicate touches of sawn oak, cedar resin and beeswax. The bouquet continues to evolve, revealing dried tangerine zest, caramelised pear, and a persistent wild fennel signature, all framed by a gentle saline nuance.
On the palate, it opens unctuous and fresh, with honey and wild fennel leading into layers of dried citrus peel, soft smoke, and butterscotch. Nuances of walnuts, prunes and caramelised fig emerge, touched by honeysuckle and hints of spice.
The finish is endless — sweet yet fresh, balsamic and lightly spicy — evoking eucalyptus blossom honey, wild fennel, crystallised citrus, curry spice and fleeting impressions of crème brûlée and caramelised cherry.
“The 1972 APICIVS Colheita Tawny Port is a field blend that was bottled with a long cork on July 22, 2022, after about 50 years in barrel. It comes in with 190 grams of residual sugar. This has a little more energy than the 1971, but it opened equally closed. Overnight, it woke up alive and expressive, showing rich fruit and a long, deliciously sweet finish. It has a fair amount of energy, too, and complexity. It is certainly very mature, but it is still fresh enough to be bright and lively. The unctuous texture and serious concentration are its best features, though. It simply coats the palate, leading to that tasty finish. This runs around 550 euros in Portugal.
This release was launched on September 9 with just 500 bottles, which is all that was left. Each will come with a premium package, including an extra bar-top cork, booklet and certificate of authenticity.
This company’s name stands for “Douro and Port Wine Export Agency.” In 2013, they started acquiring and exporting “less-known Port wine brands from producers,” then began buying and selling bulk Port wines. Last year, they added their own brand, releasing the 1971. They have plans for regular 50-year releases.”
Published in September 2022, End of September Issue on RobertParker.com
