Decant: 1½ hours - From a bottle with a very sticky capsule, and a top shoulder fill; cork was extracted in two pieces and was very faintly branded. Bottle was imported by Rutherford Miles. Decanted cleanly off a great deal of very solid sediment.
Lovely mahogany-red colour, looking beautifully mature; 40% opaque. Toffee and orange on the nose; also some VA when swirled. Sweet entry, the toffee tones come through on the palate together with raisins and sultanas but with a balancing dose of ripe acidity; good development on the palate, nicely mouthfilling and thick texture. Rather hot on swallowing, but with a big aftertaste and long finish of dry black licorice and bitter oranges. Tasty port, probably at its peak but not in any hurry to be drunk. 90 points
1978 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port
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