2009 Quinta do Noval Colheita

The 2009 Colheita Tawny Port showed well, with classic complexity and nuance in its caramelized darker red fruits, cigar, tobacco, sandalwood, and chocolaty, caramel-driven bouquet. Based largely on Touriga Nacional (as well as Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz, Tinto Cao, and Sousao), it shows a more medium-bodied style on the palate, with considerable elegance, a fine thread of acidity, and good overall balance. In short, it's a classic Tawny Port that will keep for another 20-30 years.

The 2009 Colheita, which was served slightly chilled, has a warm nose of red fruit, liquorice, menthol and aniseed, gentle and soothing. The palate is well balanced with a tangy, marmalade-tinged entry. Fine depth, lively and harmonious, touches of brown spice and white pepper, fanning out towards the finish, hints of cooked meat on the aftertaste. Irresistible. Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.

The 2009 Colheita Tawny Port is a typical field blend of grapes like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, bottled June 2022 with 117 grams of sugar, 20.6% alcohol and a long cork. In this big vintage, you get mouth-coating fruit and texture, fine depth and a delicious finish. You get a little extra oomph here, I think. The finish is laced with classic caramel and chocolate. It is fresh and rich, in great shape. This is only a little more aged than a 10 Year, but it overachieves (as does the price point, sort of).