“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.”

“This sings from the glass with a sweet spice, marmalade, molasses, clove, nutty, toffee, caramel and balsamic perfume. Very complex array of flavours including roasted coffee, scorched earth, fig and walnut. A distinctive style, done very well. High impressive.”

“This Port is based on grapes from Quinta do Bom Retiro in the Rio Torto and Quinta da Ervamoira in the Douro Superior. It's demure initially on the nose, with lovely pure berry fruits. The palate is sweet, fleshy and well defined, backed by tight-knit tannins which build to a crescendo - a peacock’s tail of a finish with lovely freshness and balance. A triumph.”