The 2018 Quinta do Noval is exuberant and calls out for attention on the nose: black plums, sage, cloves and potent scents of fireside hearth. Lovely definition here and very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, smooth and disarmingly harmonious. It fans out with confidence and delivers Oriental spices, hoisin, tobacco and black pepper on the very persistent finish. This is a superb Quinta do Noval. 95 points

The 2018 Vintage Port is a field blend aged for 18 months in old wood vats. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. This was bottled May 13, 2020. Simply gorgeous, this is aromatic, chock-full of flavor and wholly delicious—but that`s just the starting point. It has a serious backbone too, perfectly countered by the mid-palate depth. More than lovely, it might well be my favorite of the 2018s I`ve seen thus far, if I were forced to pick just one. It is surprisingly accessible, in a way, but that`s because the mid-palate soaks up the power. It was certainly still vibrant days later. It should age well, but let`s be just a little conservative now in evaluation and drinking windows. 95+ points

1,600 cases produced, which represents just 7% of the estate`s production. Cask sample. Not the most purple colour, though it is certainly concentrated … far from the most youthful looking. Vital, peppery nose with real attack. Lovely, seductive breadth on the palate – beautiful balance. Perhaps not the most ambitious and longest lived of Noval`s vintage ports but it`s pretty perfect in its youth. Spookily so really, for a wine style that is traditionally going strong after many decades in bottle. I`m scoring it on current impression and know that it may fail the classicist`s test. Some may criticise this for being a bit of wimp by vintage port standards. I wonder whether it should have been released as a Silval? 17- points