Portugal
Caves Sao Joao 1987 Frei Joao Bairrada
Deep garnet with a brick-orange rim leads into dried blackcurrant, cherry and plum, layered with cedar, tobacco, leather, graphite, forest floor and dried herbs. Silky, fully integrated tannins meet fresh acidity, carrying savoury plum, cigar box and earthy spice through a long, composed finish. Stand upright for a day before opening, then decant gently and serve slightly cool.
Cartuxa 2022 Pêra-Manca Branco Alentejo DOC
Fresh lemon, orange peel, melon and white peach lead, joined by green herbs and a quiet floral lift. The palate is bright and tangy, with mineral tension and focused acidity balancing rounder notes of apricot and green fig. Refined and layered, it finishes precise, citrus-driven and gently textured rather than overtly rich.
Caves Sao Joao 1987 Porta dos Cavaleiros Tinto
Complex fruit aromas lead a full-bodied, richly structured palate, with the depth expected of a mature Dão red. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen and Alfrocheiro form the blend, giving the wine a layered, traditional profile. Handle the bottle gently, stand it upright before opening, and serve with roast lamb, braised beef, mushrooms or firm cheese.
Caves Sao Joao 1996 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Still structured, with red fruit and vanilla set against an integrated tannic frame. The palate is light and mature, yet sound bottles retain good colour, a composed texture and a clean finish. Bottle variation is pronounced, with some examples appearing fresher than their age and others more fragile. Stand upright, open carefully and assess before deciding whether to decant.
Caves Sao Joao 1985 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Mature dark cherry and red berry sit beneath tobacco, pencil lead, graphite and dark chocolate, with damp earth, mushroom and leather adding further savoury depth. Medium acidity and resolved tannins give the palate a gentle, evolved shape, while hints of mint, dried flowers and cured meat carry the finish. Bottle variation is expected; stand upright and decant carefully around sediment.
Poças 2016 Vintage Port
Smith Woodhouse 2003 Vintage Port
Crushed violet, bergamot and wild herbs lift a brooding core of black plum, blackberry and boysenberry. Powerful and rich, the palate combines ripe perfumed fruit with peppery spice, cigar box and tightly packed tannins. Dark chocolate and molasses deepen the long, structured finish. Decant carefully and serve with blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Quinta do Vale D. Maria 1997 Vintage Port
Cacao and dark chocolate lead a mature bouquet, joined by mint, dried herbs and a subtle savoury edge. Medium-bodied and balanced, the palate combines sweet fruit with round tannins and measured freshness. The finish is long, complex and gently bittersweet. Stand upright and decant carefully, then serve slightly cool with walnuts, blue cheese or dark chocolate.
Caves Sao Joao 1989 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros Reserva
Brick-garnet in colour, with cherry and strawberry moving into dried herbs, baked gingerbread, leather and a gently earthy savoury tone. The palate remains bright, carrying red fruit and raisined nuance on a firm line of acidity, while mature bottles may show a touch of oxidation. Stand upright before opening, pour carefully, and serve with roast pork, mushrooms or braised dishes.
Caves Sao Joao 1982 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Light garnet with pronounced bricking opens slowly into dried red cherry, currant, hickory, mulch, wet hay, sweet cedar and worn leather. The palate is mature but alive, with resolved tannins and medium acidity carrying savoury red fruit, tobacco, coffee bean and cigar-box detail. Give it twenty to thirty minutes in the glass; stand upright beforehand and open carefully, as older corks may be fragile.
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo 1992 Vintage Port
Concentrated and firmly structured, with a mature profile that carries weight without losing composure. The palate shows breadth and gravity, while a clear sense of tension keeps the texture from feeling heavy. Richness is held in balance by freshness and measured sweetness. The finish is long, precise and persistent, emphasizing structure, balance and quiet authority over overt power.
Quinta do Vale D. Maria 2000 Vintage Port
Deep purple-red in colour, with concentrated aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry. The palate is powerful yet composed, bringing dense mature fruit over ripe, finely textured tannins. Freshness keeps the sweetness balanced, while the fruit remains clear through a very long finish. Stand upright, decant carefully and serve with Stilton, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Caves Sao Joao 1992 Dao Porta dos Cavaleiros
Dark fruit and forest-floor aromas lead to dark cherry, mixed berries, leather and a light balsamic edge. Soft tannins give the palate an easy, mature shape, while surprisingly bright acidity keeps the fruit defined and the medium-length finish fresh. Stand upright before opening and pour carefully around sediment; the balance suggests a bottle holding its age with quiet assurance.
FitaPreta 2020 Os Paulistas Chão dos Eremitas
Ruby in colour with a violet edge, opening on red berries, pomegranate and fresh herbal notes. The palate is long and structured but finely judged, with bright tannins, silky texture and lifted fruit keeping the wine graceful. Savoury undergrowth and subtle oak emerge toward the finish, which remains precise, vibrant and composed.
Quevedo 1992 Colheita Port 750 mL
Sun-dried fruit, candied orange and poached fruit meet cinnamon, grilled nuts, old wood and a quiet smoky note. The palate opens rich and full, then tightens through the middle as sweetness gives way to drier, more savoury detail. Bitter chocolate and warm spice add depth without obscuring the fruit. The finish is powerful, layered and very long, lingering on cinnamon, nuts and candied fruit.
Smith Woodhouse 1994 Vintage Port
An intense colour introduces a rich, concentrated style with a distinctive floral bouquet. Dark fruit fills the palate, framed by integrated tannins and enough freshness to keep the sweetness composed. Full-bodied and powerful without losing balance, it finishes with depth and persistence. Stand upright and decant carefully before serving with blue cheese, aged cheddar or walnuts.
Croft 2011 Vintage Port
Blueberry, ripe dark berries and violet lead a deeply scented bouquet, with rock rose, blue slate and a touch of leather adding complexity. Full-bodied and velvety, the palate balances luscious fruit with fresh acidity and firm, integrated tannins. Long, structured and energetic, it finishes with floral and mineral lift. Pair with Stilton or dark chocolate.