1892 Old Mellow Tawny Port – “Old in Wood” – C.S. Lechner, Schiedam – Historic Dutch Bottling

An extraordinary survivor from the 19th century, this exceptionally rare bottle of Port bears the harvest year 1892 and is identified on its remarkably aged original label as an Old Mellow Tawny, with the historic designation “Old in Wood.” The bottle retains its distinctive embossed metal capsule bearing the name C.S. Lechner, Schiedam, identifying the historic Dutch merchant/bottler associated with the wine. Unlike a conventional Vintage Port, this appears to represent the old tradition of extended wood-aged Port: wine from a specific historic harvest matured in cask before eventual merchant bottling. The bottle displays remarkable age and authenticity of presentation, including extensive cellar wear and staining to the original label, an aged and oxidised embossed capsule, and an exceptionally impressive fill level considering the wine’s 1892 date. The original Portuguese producer or shipper cannot presently be established from the surviving label and is therefore deliberately left unattributed. The bottle is offered as 1892 Old Mellow Tawny Port, C.S. Lechner, Schiedam, rather than being assigned to a producer without documentary evidence. A fascinating piece of Port and European wine-merchant history, now more than 130 years removed from the 1892 harvest.