2017 Cedro do Noval

Full bottle 1,397 g. 55% Touriga Nacional, 25% Syrah, 15% Touriga Francesa, 5% Tinto Cão. Aged 10 months in French oak (12% new). A cold, dry winter followed by an exceptionally hot and dry spring and summer, resulting in an early harvest, starting on 21 August for the reds.   Deep cherry red and still with a purple rim. Open and aromatic with ripe, spiced black fruits, blackberry and blackcurrant, plus a touch of violets as well as that lovely, classic Douro rocky character that makes it smell almost dusty. Very slightly minty in this hot vintage. On the palate, rich, very dark in its fruit flavours, some spicy sweetness that seems like the oak but might be the fruit, and rounded, polished tannins. It has fruity intensity but is really quite approachable – it is their wine for younger drinking but should still age well in bottle. You could drink it now with food. Freshness is pretty good for 2017, with just a little bit of heat on the finish. (JH)