Crusted Port is a peculiarly British invention, and is rarely seen. It is produced by British Port shippers to provide wines with a similar style to Vintage Port, but quicker, and at a cheaper price. Essentially this is a very fine non-vintage Ruby Port.

Crusted Port has more power and complexity than Ruby Port, though with sweet, rich, spicy red and black fruit harmoniously integrated. It is made from a blend of different vintages and is aged for up to four years in cask and at least three years in bottle prior to release.

It gets its name from the sediment (or ‘crust’) that forms at the bottom of the bottle as the wine ages – just like a Vintage Port. The date on a Crusted Port bottle refers to the bottling date; it is forbidden by law to show any reference to a particular vintage. It is ready to drink on release but often continues to improve with age.