1964 Quinta do Noval Nacional

[Alex Bridgeman]

Light brick red, 20% opaque. Completely empty on the nose but persistent swirling does release some reluctant candied cherry. Thick and sweet on entry, the acidity arrives in a rush of intense bitter grapefruit and sugar flavours. Lovely and interesting palate development with the bitterness at the fore of the flavours and the dry tannins some structure. The palate just keeps growing. Heat shows briefly on the aftertaste but gives way to a bitter grapefruit zest finish of fabulous length of over 10 minutes. 95/100. Drunk 24-Jun-14. Decanted ½ hour.