Portugal
Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 1980
Ruby with a mature brick rim, showing red and dark berries, anise, dried cherry and a quiet earthy spice. The palate is leaner and more savoury than opulent, with mellow sweetness, resolved tannins and a clean line of acidity leading to a cherry-stone finish. Graceful and ready to drink, it suits Stilton, aged cheddar or toasted almonds.
Sao Joao 1997 Porta Dos Cavaleiros Mg
A mature Portuguese red with dried cherry, leather and stewed fruit, followed by game, earth and gentle spice. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with settled acidity and elegant tannins supporting its savoury character. The finish is clean and composed rather than forceful, pairing especially well with roast chicken, coq au vin, mushrooms or slow-cooked pork.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Poças 2016 Vintage Port
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.
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 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.