“Bom Retiro is Ramos Pinto’s historic quinta, a steep rise above the south bank of the Douro, just downriver from Pinhão. In 2018, the site produced a wine of delicate persistence, the tannins painted dark in their earthy edges, the fruit mellow and ripe, like a Bosc pear poached in deep red wine. Bom Retiro has intensity and restraint, an inhalation of fruit, an exhalation of schist, a Portuguese-style vintage without the British power and bluster, if such generalizations can be made. While many buyers expect that power in their Porto, this wine offers its own refined pleasures.”

“The Port comes from a spectacular vineyard in the twisting Torto Valley, off the main Douro River. Its perfumed, floral fruits bring out the richness and the structure of a wine that will certainly need many years. Spice, jammy black fruits and tannins are mingled together in a wine that will be ready to drink from 2028.”

Resplendent with its pale amber-tawny hue and just a glint of orange; appetising savoury aromas of lightly toasted almonds and slightly caramelised, mellifluous fruit; fine and delicate, super-suave with that beautifully melded savoury-sweet fruit (the hallmark of great tawny) and an incredibly long, fresh, elegant finish. Finely and perfectly poised.

“Dark and winey, this is a bit backward and will need time to unwind the dark currant, fig and plum cake flavors, coated by a broad swath of bittersweet cocoa and tar. A slightly burly baker's chocolate note at the very end adds to the grippy feel. Best from 2032 through 2042.”

“A hint of toast lingers through the lemon oil, peach and melon flavors of this crisp, medium-bodied white, with notes of mineral, spice and heather emerging on the long finish. Rabigato, Viosinho, Côdega, Arinto and Gouveio. Drink now through 2023.”