Quinta do Noval 2007

Again, very deep in colour, deep purple. The nose is deep and broody - you have to really stick your nose in the glass. But it has so much primal intensity: blackberry, raspberry, liquorice, fruitcake, a touch of Indian ink. Wonderful definition - great clarity here. The palate has a rounded, quite approachable texture, extremely pure with luscious black fruits entwined with white pepper, crème de menthe, damson and black plum. So harmonious towards the finish. Beautiful.

Offers intense aromas of squeezed tangerine, blackberry and blueberry. Very complex. Full-bodied, medium sweet and chewy. Extracted yet balanced, with an intense fruity and grapey character. Tight and reserved on the finish. Best after 2015. 1,800 cases made. -JS

Black ruby-purple color, one of the darkest colors of the vintage. Superripe, high-pitched, rather brooding aromas of black and red berries, bitter chocolate, flowers and spices. Hugely rich, sweet and mouthfilling yet at the same time savory, with uncanny verve for such a thick, silky wine; darker in character than the Silval. This saturates every millimeter of the palate with black fruit and spice flavors. Is any other 2007 this dense, deep and ripe? A wine of great intensity and persistence. (Incidentally, there is no Quinta do Noval Nacional from vintage 2007, as this vineyard "just did not sing," in the words of managing director Christian Seely.)

The 2007 Tinto is a library wine, revisited for a checkup. This has aged beautifully. It is showing bits and pieces of mature nuances around the edges. Fresh and lively, with lifted fruit and a vibrant demeanor, it adds an elegant mid-palate. Its tannins are subdued at this point. It shows plenty of finesse, which together with its long finish, gives the wine a sophisticated feel. Many wines in this vintage were not quite so fresh, but this has the acidity to support the fruit. It should be able to hold on nicely for another decade or so, but let's take that in stages. Right now, the complexity blended with the freshness makes this very appealing. That's a hint. Drink Date 2017 - 2024

First One of the darkest of the 2007s. Limpid and luscious-looking, Very sweet and ripe with some spice - cinnamon? All-enveloping and one of the sleekest and smoothest in terms of texture. The acid and then tannins creep in on the finish but this is a bit of a standout in terms of its dry energetic finish. This gives the impression of polished leather - not one of the sweetest on the finish. A palate scrub of a wine. Distinctive.