Quinta Noval, Colheita Vintage:2007 driven more by an intense

driven more by an intense minerality than raw muscle

Restrained and distinctly cool aromas only reluctantly reveal deeply pitched nuances of spiced plum

the 2008 The Laird is a little restrained to begin

I had two vintages of the old-vine cuvée to taste side by side

Quinta Noval, Colheita Vintage:2007 driven more by an intenseAccording to winemaker Carlos Agrello, colheita port represents only 1. 5% of port production. Reddish tawny colour, smelling of dark Oxford marmalade, bitter orange. Intensely aromatic and still structured by the tannins and still showing some red fruit character under all that tertiary evolution. Dried fruits, raisins but not raisiny like an oxidised wine. Powerful and extremely fresh. Such a great style of port. (JH)