Decanter’s resident Portuguese wine expert. Sarah Ahmed, selects her favorite fortified treasures to be enjoyed this winter. Ahmed expresses, that while vintage port will always be king, colheita (or single-vintage aged tawnies) are ready to drink on release and without decanting, making them an easy and accessible option. These wines are matured in seasoned small casks or vats and are best served lightly chilled.
Ahmed includes the Quinta do Noval Tawny 40 Year Old Port in her suggestions, awarding it 97 Points and a stunning review: “Terrific stature and visceral intensity. Tightly wound acidity, a touch of volatile acidity and Cognac-like spirit drive to the kaleidoscopic palate, unleashing a never-ending panoply of flavors: black cardamom, spicy fruit chutney, salty praline, mocha, dried mango, marmalade and walnut. Ultra-long, well-focused and resonating.”
To learn more, read the full store HERE.
Experts-choice_-Tawny-Ports-DecanterRelated Wines
Quinta do Noval
Quinta do Noval Tawny 40 Year Old Port NV
Douro Valley, Portugal
Noval was the first port house to introduce blended tawnies with an indication of average age. Their eldest offering, the Noval Tawny 40 Year Old Port, is a remarkable representation of the quintessence of the Noval Tawny style: a profoundly concentrated and complex old wine, the memory of the house.
Related Producers
Quinta do Noval
Douro Valley, Portugal
One of the oldest port houses, Quinta do Noval is also arguably the greatest. It is unique among top port houses in that most of the ports are made from estate-grown fruit and, notably, all of the vintage Noval wines are from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard.
