2019 Niepoort

The 2019 Vintage Port is a field blend from old vines (80 to 100 years old) aged for 21 months in large Portuguese oak vats. It comes in with 88 grams per liter of residual sugar and 19.3% alcohol. This was originally seen about three months after bottling. It has settled in a bit, but it still has a long life ahead. Fresh, as always, this also has a beautiful expression of fruit. It is delicious and ripe, with many more years ahead. It isn't drinking too badly now, but of course it has not even begun to acquire complexity. This is a beauty, but its best years are ahead.

Inky colour, with such deliciously pure fruit and loads of large-grained tannins – so traditional, so satisfying, so fragrant. A real beauty and combining incredibly clarity of fruit with locked-up potential that will unfurl for lifetimes. (RH)

Cask sample.  Black with very narrow purple rim. Gorgeous spicy aroma with rich black plum and cherry. Extremely inviting even though the spirit is very obvious on such an embryonic wine. There's a savoury quality too, like crushed rocks. Deep and smooth, the friction of the tannin like many compacted layers of tissue paper. Surprisingly scented on the palate, with a suggestion of violets but still that savoury darkness. Great length and lingering freshness as the tannins continue to wash over your palate. (JH)