“Fresh flavors of apricot and golden plum fatten this wine, balancing its notes of wood and brandy. It’s warm, spicy and clean, ready to serve at cellar temperature with sheep’s milk cheeses.”

“Bom Retiro is a historic property on the south side of the Douro River canyon, across the river from Pinhão. It has been owned by Ramos Pinto since 1919 and provides the fruit for this Tawny. The wine’s earthy honey scent suggests its supple textures, while there’s brightness to its orange marmalade flavors, the lasting impression firm, juicy and clean.”

“Fully mature, luscious and fat, this has the dark bitterness of tobacco and espresso to balance its richness. Ignacio Monclus of Brooklyn’s Camperdown Elm suggested it would take the place of a spirit after dinner: “It has the noble wood, classic and on the dry side.”

“Ramos Pinto takes an elegant approach to Vintage Port, investing the wine with energy rather than sheer power. This 2017 is rich in tannins, rounded and chocolatey, yielding high-toned notes of ginger and pear skin over racy, floral plum flavors. It has a dynamic presence, tight, juicy and clean, suited to aging for two decades or more.”

“The 2017 Duas Quintas Reserva is a 60/30 blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, plus Tinta da Barca and Sousão for the rest, aged for 18 months in a mixture of used barrels (90% French) and large vats. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is a lovely DQ Reserva, a good competitor to fine vintages like the 2016, 2015 and 2011 (which is revisited this issue, in fact). This feels fresher, fruitier and livelier than most. While it doesn't seem quite as dense or as muscular as the 2016 (and certainly not the 2011), it is arguably more expressive and shows more finesse. The balance is perfect. As it airs out, it shows the power that will allow this to age well, too, even if it is relatively accessible. This looks like the best since the 2011—and in a more elegant style that many will prefer.”