TN: 2004 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 48 hours - Sourced from Tamsin, the manager at Wadebridge Wines. Decanted through filter paper, with only very fine sediment doing not much more than blocking the pores of the paper and staining everything a grainy purple. Deep and impenetrable in colour, still an intense and almost black tone of purple, totally youthful still. Sweet grapes and a white pepper on the nose, elegant and attractive and some amazing floral components. Light texture in the mouth, restrained rather than burly, but with some lovely complexity and a huge volume of fruit. Hidden behind the blackcurrants and blueberries are some dusty tannins and some lime-juice acidity. Delicious development. Big and perfumed aftertaste, followed by a long length of bitter chocolate and blueberry. Very enjoyable, one which will drink well for 30 years or more because of that streak of acidity. It will never be a massive or legendary wine, but will be an excellent bottle to have in the cellar when friends are round. 91 points