Quinta do Vesuvio 2007

Intense blackberry, spice and stem aromas turn slightly floral. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with wonderfully integrated tannins and a finish of black pepper and spice. Wonderfully balanced, with gorgeous fruit. A new small-production, single-vineyard Port from Vesuvio, one of the great Port estates of the Douro Valley. Best after 2020. 250 cases made. -JS

A blend of 55% Touriga Nacional and 45% Tinta Franca, picked at 3.80 Baume (the former on 30 year old vines at just 0.7kg/vine). A deep, opaque purple colour. The nose is reticent at first, reluctantly revealing macerated black cherries, blueberry, violets and a touch of rose petals. Very feminine and refined. The palate is medium-bodied, very fine tannins with blackberry, Xmas cake, ginger and a touch of dark honey towards the finish. It has a very attractive sense of energy and tension towards the finish. Good length. A vivacious Vesuvio!

Saturated black ruby to the rim. A black hole on the nose, hinting at crushed dark berries, licorice, violet and woodsmoke. Still an infant on the palate, with penetrating graphite minerality and notes of pepper and spice giving energy to the wine's utterly primary fruit. Wonderfully elegant and fine-grained wine that's just hinting at the complexity to come. A slightly high-toned quality adds personality, but this intensely fruity port needs at least a decade of patience.

The nose is sumptuous and fleshy and this voluptuous richness of dark fruits is there on the palate. It is powerful, solid, a wonderful depth of fruit, the chewy blackcurrant vying with blackberry for dominance. The polished tannins give structure and a racy feel to the finish.

Vibrant purple. Very lush and almost rudely fruity. Lots of interesting dry tannins and herbs on the finish. Obviously very much a terroir wine. Lovely long finish.