CR&F – Carvalho, Ribeiro & Ferreira has just launched the new edition of its XO Fine & Rare brandy, in a creation that once again affirms the excellence of the century-old brand, now curated by winemaker João Maria Portugal Ramos. True to the DNA of the house founded in 1895, this modern and sophisticated brandy is a true tribute to Portuguese tradition, the result of a meticulous selection of exceptional batches from the Lourinhã Demarcated Region. With limited production, this 4th edition celebrates perfection with a contemporary approach, designed for special moments at the table, with friends or family, or simply for the sheer pleasure of tasting a rare and distinctive drink.
Produced exclusively from grapes from Lourinhã, one of only three regions in the world officially recognized for the production of quality brandy, CR&F XO Fine & Rare is born from an Atlantic terroir where climate and soil combine to create wines with high acidity and low alcohol content, ideal for distillation. Winemaking uses only indigenous yeasts, without the addition of sulphur dioxide or other oenological products, and distillation is carried out using the continuous method in a tower still, similar to that used in Armagnac.
Ageing takes place in national and French oak barrels, with initial ageing in new wood and subsequent development in large-capacity vats, in a meticulous process that lasts for years and results in a brandy of rare complexity.
Visually, it stands out for its intense golden color with amber reflections. On the nose, it reveals elegant notes of dried fruit such as walnuts and toasted almonds, surrounded by nuances of vanilla, caramel and spices, with a subtle iodized touch that denotes the maritime influence. On the palate, the sophistication is confirmed: silky texture, remarkable balance, flavors of honey, dark chocolate and noble wood, with a well-integrated acidity that prolongs the taste. The finish is long, warm and harmonious, leaving a mark of elegance and distinction.
The new CR&F XO Fine & Rare is also an invitation to celebrate Easter, offering pairings with typical sweets of the season. The folar enhances the spicy notes, the fig cakes balance the structure of the brandy, the walnut cakes complement its toasted depth and the almond cakes marry perfectly with the fruity and soft notes of the drink.
Every detail has been designed to reflect CR&F’s obsession with rigor and authenticity. The bottle, silk-screened in gold, is accompanied by a numbered choker and a certificate with a seal, inserted in a case that refers to the history and symbols of the brand. This new edition arrives on the market as an affirmation of quality, tradition and innovation, keeping alive a heritage of more than a century, today continued with the vision and experience of João Portugal Ramos. With a presence in more than 20 countries, CR&F has reaffirmed itself as an unavoidable benchmark for Portuguese brandy, capable of crossing generations and continuing to create memories.