2003 Quinta do Noval Colheita (bottled 2016)

[Alex Bridgeman]

The bottling code on the label reveals this bottle was filled on the 42nd day of 2016. Polished copper-red in colour and 50% opaque. Not much showing on the nose, just a bit of faint burnt raisin fruit. Gentle entry, light and ethereal with a delicate perfumed white rhubarb to it. There is plenty of development on the palate with the mid- and late palates showing more baked fruit and burnt sugar with plenty of freshening acidity. The burnt sugar and burnt raisin flavours dominate the very, very long finish. This is a light wine on the palate which suddenly produces astonishing power on the finish. Quite tough to score because of this unbalanced performance. 91/100. Drunk 13-Feb-17.