Martinho "Reserva Velhíssima" The paint has faded on the bottle. The history remains. Producer: A.G. Martinho Era: Late 19th Century (attributed to 1881) Condition: Paint worn by time; original tag and capsule intact. You are looking at a bottle that defies time. This is the legendary Martinho "Reserva Velhíssima", widely recognized by experts as the iconic 1881 vintage, though the paint on the bottle has faded. Why is the date missing? Originally, these bottles were stenciled with white paint directly onto the dark glass, a common practice in the 19th century before paper labels became standard. Over the last 140+ years of cellar aging, the humidity that kept the cork moist has naturally worn away the paint. How do we know it’s 1881? The identity of this bottle lies in its survivor: the original hang-tag. The designation "Reserva Velhíssima" (Very Old Reserve) from the house of A.G. Martinho is the fingerprint of this specific, historic lot. It matches the provenance of its stenciled siblings found in the same collection. A Treasure for the True Connoisseur To own this bottle is to own a secret. To the untrained eye, it is an old, dark bottle. To the connoisseur, the shape of the glass, the patina of the tag, and the deep amber hue of the liquid scream "19th Century." Profile: Expect a wine of immense concentration, with notes of molasses, old mahogany, and the piercing, complex acidity that only centuries can produce.