This stunning wine is made from 50% Estate fruit with the balance from "A" grade producers in the heart of the Douro Valley. This is the youngest of the Noval Tawnies with an age indication. The age indicates an average with the wine made from what effectively amounts to a solera system. The 10 year old displays a complex, lifted aroma of dried fruits and nuts. Rich and smooth on the palate it has elegant structure and a long, dry finish. A superb example.
Jancis Robinson: [www.jancisrobinson.com] "I've been tasting a lot of port recently and on several occasions this particular wine has really stood out as being much more vigorous and satisfying than its peers - including the new, ultra-trendy Warre's Otima 10-year-old tawny in its clear glass half-litre for almost as much money. It has that slight touch of rancio that comes from many years in wood but mainly it is a thoroughly delicious blend of fruit and nuts (no chocolate). In fact, Noval ports in general have stood out in comparisons of ports below vintage port level and seem much improved."
James Suckling: [Wine Spectator] 90/100 "This smells just like English Christmas cake. Full-bodied and very sweet, with plenty of toffee and dried fruit character on the finish. Really yummy. Drink now. 5,000 cases made."