Quinta do Vesuvio 2018 (750ML)

97 WS / 96 DE / 96 JS / 17+ JR

Expressive, with a wave of pure creamed plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit gliding through atop enticing anise and milk chocolate notes. Velvety, caressing finish makes it hard to see the graphite structure here, but it's there. Suave finish too. Will be hard to lay off this one in its youth, but it's destined for terrific development. Best from 2032 through 2055. 965 cases made, 100 cases imported. — JM – Wine Spectator

A blend of 54% Touriga Nacional, 40% Touriga Franca and Alicante Bouschet (co-fermented) and 6% Sousão (for freshness), predominantly from cooler north or northwest facing vineyards: beautifully lifted, scented floral aromas (rose petals), vinous and overt; sweet and suave initially, ripe but gentle blackberry fruit backed by velvety tannins leading to a finish that is both powerful and elegant at the same time. Wonderful freshness and vitality. A magnificent wine for drinking over the medium to long term. Just 965 cases produced, representing 3% of the quinta’s total production. - Decanter

This is a big, ripe young vintage Port with dried fruit, such as figs and prunes, treacle tart and chocolate. Full-bodied and very sweet with lots of round tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This needs five or six years to soften. Just 3% of the Vesuvio production. Try after 2025 and onwards. James Suckling

54% Touriga Nacional, 40% Touriga Franca, 6% Sousão co-fermented with Alicante Bouschet. Just 965 12-bottle cases produced, which represent just 3% of the production of this extensive property in 2018. Vines at 100–450 m and largely, usefully, north-facing. Trodden by foot. The Symingtons were able to buy this property about 30 years ago. Cask sample.

Deep, blackish purple colour. Prunes plus freshness (Sousão?) on the nose. Very sweet start and yet with real life and spine to it. Tight and focused with real lift. Very much more than just ripe. Great concentration. Youthful with a real framework. Jancis Robinson