Due to La Rosa's situation, they can produce small amounts of Vintage ports in most years. 1997 is a fully declared year by most large shippers and La Rosa declared a small quantity of excellent wine which won a Gold Medal at The International Wine Challenge in 1999 and was granted 89 in the American Wine Spectator being described as "a very attractive young port". Clive Coates also awarded it 17/20 describing it as "Quite firm, good cassis fruit. Fullish, fresh and balanced. A stylish wine. Very good indeed".