2007 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port -- (cask sample)

[Al B.]

Cask sample: Magenta in colour, very red with only the faintest hint of violet on the rim; almost, but not quite transparent in the centre. Very open, fruity nose; fresh and ripe but tart blackcurrants. Full of sweet blackcurrants; develops many layers but develops them slowly and at a measured pace with all the components in harmony. Pronounced tannins, but they are soft and well balanced. One of the sweeter ports tasted. The aftertaste is warm and evolves through several phases with a perfect balance between fruit and tannin and lasts a very long time. Big and burly but with the perfect balance to pull this off and mature in the cellar for a long time; one to hunt out and buy. 94-96 points. Tasted over the course of a week in May 2009.

[Roy Hersh]

Lovely note Alex. I'd be interested to know where this 94-96 point player fit in with your top tier of 2007s at the time. Did you have a few that scored higher and if so, would you share the names? This is purely to see what you felt were the strongest Ports of the vintage. Thanks!

[Glenn E.]

I finally broke down and ordered 3 bottles of this today. Too many people I trust have it rated near the top of the vintage for me to pass on it even though it's close to $90/bottle here in the US.