2021 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port

Intense aromas of black fruits with blueberries, lead pencil and graphite. Wet earth as well. Full-bodied and layered with very fine tannins and a juicy and savory finish. There is such polish and beauty to this. Reminds me of the 1967. Best after 2030. (09/2023)

The 2021s come from a mild, even year that allowed plenty of hang time and solid ripeness. The wines certainly don't lack for power or density, even if they might not have the same overall concentrated level as the 2020. The 2021 Vintage Port clearly shows the even style of the vintage and offers a concentrated yet fresher, elegant style to go with classic young Port aromatics of cassis and jammy black and blue fruits that give way to more candied violet, flowers, licorice, and cedary herb nuances. This beauty takes lots of air to shed its primary fruit, but it's not far off the style of the 2019 and is full-bodied, beautifully balanced, has a terrific sense of freshness, and more than adequate structure to allow it to evolve for 40+ years in cold cellars. (10/2023)