For The Love Of Port

Purchased six bottles en primeur at Berry Bros, London, in 1999. Have not tasted any of 1997 Noval VP, neither my own bottles nor at tastings, so this was a first time for me.

Cork seemed to be tight, but slipped down 3-4 millimeter when I touched it with the Durand. Cork itself was in a very good condition. 10 hrs decanting. Started to open up after six hrs, and at its best (for now) from 8 hrs. Medium red colour. Appearance a bit unclear. Full, deep aroma of red berries, with a sweetish touch (raisins). Full body. Well structured. Very nice fruit. Elegant taste of wood, figs, and in total an explosion of impressions. Powerful. Medium to long aftertaste. 94 points.

Best bottles of this hard to find VP, (my last one was nearly a year ago w/ Rute at the quinta besides the 1997 Colheita and Nacional. The regular Noval held its own very well indeed. A great Port little talked about.