Deep black, opaque hue. A massive nose of cassis, blueberries and violets that is incredibly intense but with very fine delineation. Very opulent and perfumed. The palate is full-bodied, rich, opulent, velvety smooth with immense purity. Good grip, huge structure and immense length. You could almost describe this as a blockbuster port, but it is more than that thanks to its balance and delineation. Sheer exuberance. Needs at least 30 years. Tasted February 2007.

What a nose. Ripe fruit, with chocolate, blackberries and raisins. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with velvety tannins. Finish goes on and on. Layered and wonderful. Best after 2014. 1,500 cases imported.

Saturated deep ruby. Sweet aromas of black cherry, cassis, licorice, molasses, minerals, toffee and violet. Dense, sweet and pliant, with outstanding precision and depth of flavor. Like the Silval, this boasts a seductively creamy texture. The explosive, mounting finish offers a fine dusting of ripe, suave tannins and great breadth. Deceptively easy to taste today owing to its finesse, but it's hard to believe that it won't shut down in bottle in the near future. This wine features a particularly high percentage of touriga nacional.

The inky, purple-colored, opaque 2003 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port soars from the glass, revealing dates, black cherries, copious flowers, and plums. Full-bodied, broad, and lush, this top-flight wine is harmonious and exhibits stupendous purity of fruit. Blueberries, cherries, and candied strawberries can be found in its nuanced, lengthy, plum-laced core as well as in its immensely long, dried berry-tinged finish. Drink this beauty between 2020 and 2045+.