2019 Declarations

[Alex Bridgeman]

This thread is to hold the details of the Vintage Ports from the 2019 vintage. An asterisk next to the shipper indicates that a tasting note is on TPF for the Port (with a link to the TN).

First to declare (at least the first I have heard officially declare) is Sogevinus on February 23rd with an announcement from Tony at Vintage Wine & Port.

2019 declared by:
Alves de Sousa (DWWA 2022 silver medal winner)

Barao de Vilar

• Barao de Vilar
• Feuerheerd

Bulas
Cadao from Mateus & Sequeira
Churchill Quinta da Gricha (282½ cases)
Dalva Pure (an organic VP; 3,500 bottles)
Nicolau de Almeida
Niepoort
Piano (Carlos Alonso; 300 cases)
Pintas (Wine and Soul)
Quevedo
Quinta da Devesa
Quinta da Pacheca
Quinta da Sabordela (DWWA 2022 gold medal winner)
Quinta das Heredias (correctly written as Herédias)
Quinta das Lamelas
Quinta de la Rosa
Quinta de Monsul from Rozes
Quinta de Ventozelo
Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do Cume (DWWA 2022 gold medal winner)

Quinta do Noval

• Quinta do Noval (2,400 cases)
• Quinta do Noval Nacional
• Quinta do Passadouro (600 cases)

Quinta do Portal
Quinta do Portal Muros
Quinta do Tedo
Quinta do Vale Meao
Quinta do Ventozelo (Gran Cruz)
Quinta dos Poços
Quinta Nova (de Nossa Senhora do Carmo) (112½ cases)
Quinta Santa Izabel
Sao Leonardo from Quinta do Mourao
Soares Duarte

Sogevinus

• Barros
• Burmester Single Quinta
• Calem
• Kopke

Sogrape

• Ferreira Quinta do Porto
• Sandeman Quinta do Seixo (DWWA 2022 gold medal winner)

Symington Family Estates

• Cockburn Quinta dos Canais (late release)
• Dow Quinta do Bomfim (late release)
• Dow Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira
• Graham Quinta dos Malvedos (late release)
• Quinta do Vesuvio
• Warre Quinta da Cavadinha (late release)

The Fladgate Partnership

• Croft Roeda (late release)
• Fonseca Guimaraens (late release)
• Taylor Quinta da Terra Feita (late release)
• Taylor Quinta de Vargellas

Vallegre (DWWA 2022 silver medal winner)

Links to other vintages:
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

[Axel P]

Niepoort and Crasto to follow.

Niepoort:

With some 28.000 bottles Dirk and Daniel Niepoort launch their new baby VINTAGE PORT 2019.

Dirk says, that this Port could be compared to his young 2003 as the wine shows a classic tannic structure as well as a massive fruity body. With a fantastic ripeness this Port has everything please young and to age perfectly.

The official launch will be on March 19 in Vila Nova de Gaia.

[JacobH]

Does that mean he is not producing a Bioma? I think it is bottled a little later than the classic VP blend but I can’t remember when he usually declares it.

[JacobH]

Symington’s press release has just come out. They say they are producing a Quinta do Vesúvio and then some SQVPs, although they seem to be trying to rebrand these as “Quinta Vintage Port” rather than “SQVP”.

A 2019 Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira is apparently being released this year with the Vesúvio. They say they are going to sell some cases with two bottles of the 2019, two of the 2009 and two of the 1999 which sounds quite fun but I bet is at a ridiculous price.

The others are Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos, Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim, Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha and Cockburn’s Quinta dos Canais which are being reserved for future release.

No sign of my favourite, the Roriz

There’s apparently going to be a presentation on Instagram Live (SymingtonFamilyEstates) on April 22nd at 7pm.

[MigSU]

(...) but I bet is at a ridiculous price.

That sounds about right.

I'd be interested in getting the SdR SQVP 2019, as I worked in the winery during that harvest (and during the 2020 one). Also treaded a few lagares in Vesúvio in 2019 (alas, sadly not in 2020, due to the pandemic), so a two-pack of SdR and Vesúvio 2019 would be nice.

[PCM]

.
A 2019 Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira is apparently being released this year with the Vesúvio. They say they are going to sell some cases with two bottles of the 2019, two of the 2009 and two of the 1999 which sounds quite fun but I bet is at a ridiculous price.

That sounds about right.

I'd be interested in getting the SdR SQVP 2019, as I worked in the winery during that harvest (and during the 2020 one). Also treaded a few lagares in Vesúvio in 2019 (alas, sadly not in 2020, due to the pandemic), so a two-pack of SdR and Vesúvio 2019 would be nice.

As I understand it, they will release some cases with Vesuvio VP'19, '09 and '99 (one bottle of each) and some cases of Senhora da Ribeira VP '19. '09 and '99 (one bottle of each). They don't plan (as far as I understand) to release a box with one bottle each of vesuvio VP '19 and Senhora da Ribeira VP '19.

[JacobH]

As I understand it, they will release some cases with Vesuvio VP'19, '09 and '99 (one bottle of each) and some cases of Senhora da Ribeira VP '19. '09 and '99 (one bottle of each). They don't plan (as far as I understand) to release a box with one bottle each of vesuvio VP '19 and Senhora da Ribeira VP '19.

You’re quite right. I didn’t really expect a “case” of three SQVP to be something which should exist! Although I think TFP did one a few years ago with the Taylor Qd Vargallas, the Fonseca Guimaraens and Croft Qd Roêda for fairly standard retail prices so I guess it could work?

[Glenn E.]

No sign of my favourite, the Roriz

Roriz is no longer used for Port - I heard somewhere (but now can't find the source) that it is now dedicated to dry wines.

[Andy Velebil]

I’ve never quite understood the SQVP naming thing nor it’s origin of use, just accepted it as a common term since I’ve been into Port. Probably a good time to start changing, especially with so many smaller to medium sized producers now selling on the global stage with their Quinta VP’s. As QVP is a far more accurate term and also doesn’t tend to have the negative connotation that SQVP sometimes has.

My understanding is price is going to be similar to last years release (for 2019 QVP’s). So no, it won’t be some outrageous price.

[MigSU]

.
A 2019 Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira is apparently being released this year with the Vesúvio. They say they are going to sell some cases with two bottles of the 2019, two of the 2009 and two of the 1999 which sounds quite fun but I bet is at a ridiculous price.

That sounds about right.

I'd be interested in getting the SdR SQVP 2019, as I worked in the winery during that harvest (and during the 2020 one). Also treaded a few lagares in Vesúvio in 2019 (alas, sadly not in 2020, due to the pandemic), so a two-pack of SdR and Vesúvio 2019 would be nice.

As I understand it, they will release some cases with Vesuvio VP'19, '09 and '99 (one bottle of each) and some cases of Senhora da Ribeira VP '19. '09 and '99 (one bottle of each). They don't plan (as far as I understand) to release a box with one bottle each of vesuvio VP '19 and Senhora da Ribeira VP '19.

Thanks for clarifying. In that case I'll pursue them separately, as I don't have a particular interest in either the 2009 or the 1999, of either quinta.

[MigSU]

No sign of my favourite, the Roriz

Roriz is no longer used for Port - I heard somewhere (but now can't find the source) that it is now dedicated to dry wines.

That is correct. It's Prats & Symington territory now! (well, mostly)

[DRT]

(...) but I bet is at a ridiculous price.

That sounds about right.

I suspect that like any commodity the price will be what the market can stand. It sounds very much like a small tasting case of relatively young and easy to acquire "xxx9" vintages being put together rather than some of the more unusual and rare releases of recent times. I think these are likely to be priced at not more than the combined retail price of the three bottles otherwise they simply wouldn't sell.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I like the idea of being able to buy a “tasting case”, especially if it’s relatively easy to add to the case contents - with a bottle of Vesuvio 1989, for example.

Anything which makes life easier for enthusiasts like us is a great idea.

[Andy Velebil]

I like the idea of being able to buy a “tasting case”, especially if it’s relatively easy to add to the case contents - with a bottle of Vesuvio 1989, for example.

Anything which makes life easier for enthusiasts like us is a great idea.

Agree 100%

[Glenn E.]

I like the idea of being able to buy a “tasting case”, especially if it’s relatively easy to add to the case contents - with a bottle of Vesuvio 1989, for example.

Anything which makes life easier for enthusiasts like us is a great idea.

Quinta do Vesuvio decivertical when?

[Christopher]

I read the press release and as others have said it looks to be 2019, 2009 and 1999 from these two houses in seperate boxes.

Let’s all take a step back .

Everyone on this site is a lover of Port, it’s a passion.
A box like this is not likely to be purchased widely. It is as it says on the tin a limited edition.
I am really pleased they have released these , it’s a tasting in a box, really interesting and for me at 50 and who likes very mature port more interesting than 3 bottles of 2019. I will be buying some to share with friends, both people on this forum and friends who appreciate good wine.

This type of release is designed as I see it for people who appreciate wine, who value the fact these boxes all have the same provenance that takes away one of the big uncertainties when doing verticals. We never used to get these types of releases with a new vintage l. I think as Port fans we should be really happy, this is for us!!
Before we start speculating about prices let’s just appreciate for what a big step it is for us as passionate drinkers and wait for the price to be released. I hope other producers follow this step.

Note a number of you on this forum were my guests previously at a Vesuvio in a box tasting. What fun that was and if I get a chance to do it again would so love to!

[Andy Velebil]

I’ve just received an email from vintage and fine wines, the Sym’s retail arm in USA. En premier, the 2019 Vesuvio will be $68/bottle (USD). That’s a very good price.

I’d caution people not to “put the cart before the horse” in their posts.

[JacobH]

No sign of my favourite, the Roriz

Roriz is no longer used for Port - I heard somewhere (but now can't find the source) that it is now dedicated to dry wines.

That is correct. It's Prats & Symington territory now! (well, mostly)

When I asked in December they said that they were still making it in the best years. The last one that I am aware of is a 2016. I’m not surprised they didn’t declare a 2018 or 2019 and I hope that 2017 was just an aberration. We will have to see when we get to the next general declaration!

I’ve never quite understood the SQVP naming thing nor it’s origin of use, just accepted it as a common term since I’ve been into Port. Probably a good time to start changing, especially with so many smaller to medium sized producers now selling on the global stage with their Quinta VP’s. As QVP is a far more accurate term and also doesn’t tend to have the negative connotation that SQVP sometimes has.

For me, the problem with “QVP” is that it seems to be dropping the key word, “single”. Especially since it is pretty common in other drink industries, too (e.g. single-origin coffee; single malt whisky etc. etc.).

That said, I agree that the term is a bit of a mess. Firstly, it has never made much sense to me why secondary VPs should be SQ ones. If anything, you might expect the very best Ports not to require as much blending between vineyards. But then, although many shippers have tried to produce second-label VPs (e.g. Sandeman Vau, Niepoort Secundum, Noval Silval etc.) I think only Fonseca Guimaraens has stuck around for any length of time. So obviously SQVP works whereas second-label VP doesn’t.

Also, of course, there is a lack of clarity to consumers as to whether any given SQVP is a secondary-year Port (e.g. Taylor Qd Vargellas), an every-year-bar-1993 Port (e.g. Veusvio), or a best-year-only Port (e.g. Noval). And I bet almost no-one knows the difference between a “Noval LBV” and a “Quinta do Noval LBV” outside Port-drinking circles.

This type of release is designed as I see it for people who appreciate wine, who value the fact these boxes all have the same provenance that takes away one of the big uncertainties when doing verticals. We never used to get these types of releases with a new vintage l. I think as Port fans we should be really happy, this is for us!!
Before we start speculating about prices let’s just appreciate for what a big step it is for us as passionate drinkers and wait for the price to be released. I hope other producers follow this step.

I hope you are right. My speculation was that this wouldn’t be aimed at Port drinkers who would like to open all three as a tasting-in-a-box but, instead, wine investors who would squirrel it away hoping that it would appreciate in value. I only think this because quite a few of the recent “limited editions” have been squarely aimed at the collector rather than the drinker and it has been these that have been heavily advertised. For example, I remember seeing some adverts for a “Primum Familiae Vini” case which sounded like a fun thing, but when it was released they clearly went big, putting all of the first and ultra-premium labels in a box and selling them for £81K:

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction ... ?locale=en

I don’t really buy much Vesúvio to know what a fair price would be for that tasting case. I would have thought a 2019, 2009 and 1999 Dow SdR would be worth about £120 retail but I get the impression that they want to try to push the price of that up (hence the 2018 being essentially double what I would expect).

But, I would like to make this very clear, this is just idle speculation!

[MigSU]

Bloody hell, £81k.

[Glenn E.]

For example, I remember seeing some adverts for a “Primum Familiae Vini” case which sounded like a fun thing, but when it was released they clearly went big, putting all of the first and ultra-premium labels in a box and selling them for £81K:

To be fair, that sold for £81K because of the 12 private tastings, 1 at each of the estates. I have no idea what the wines alone might have sold for, other than the fact that the 2017 GST is worth maybe £150.

[Christopher]

For example, I remember seeing some adverts for a “Primum Familiae Vini” case which sounded like a fun thing, but when it was released they clearly went big, putting all of the first and ultra-premium labels in a box and selling them for £81K:

To be fair, that sold for £81K because of the 12 private tastings, 1 at each of the estates. I have no idea what the wines alone might have sold for, other than the fact that the 2017 GST is worth maybe £150.

The PFV case entitles then buyer and 3 friends to have lunch/ dinner with each of the 12 families in the PFV and is actually for charity, it’s totally different and a very generous donation of time and effort by all involved.
There is a big charity dinner as part of this as well.
I really think these boxes will help encourage people’s love and education of Port and I for one cannot wait to try them.

[JacobH]

Apologies. I didn’t realise it was a charity sale: there isn’t a mention of that on the Sotheby’s or PFV website.

I really hope you are right and the don’t go big with the pricing. We shall see!

[jdaw1]

There is a proper grumble to be made about the Symingtons’ 2019 declaration. No, it is not holding prices steady (thank you to the Syms). Nor about releasing a set of Nines at a fair price (thank you to the Syms).

No, not these. Instead there is a proper serious grumble. It is starkly obvious, and doubtless you’ve all seen it. You’ve all see it, quietly sighed, and not-very-bravely left the task to me.

From the press notice:

and will release two en primeur – Quinta do Vesúvio and Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira

As a celebration of the unique terroir of two of the Symingtons’ most renowned estates - Quinta do Vesúvio and Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira – the family are releasing two limited edition cases from both estates

• Press notice says “Quinta do Vesúvio”.
• Bottle label says “Quinta do Vesuvio”.

Accent, or no accent? Ú, or U: tell me.

[PhilW]

Label is consistent with all prior labels (no accent). Previous documention about the Quinta from the quinta itself shows no accent.
The train station name has the accent.

[MigSU]

Label is consistent with all prior labels (no accent). Previous documention about the Quinta from the quinta itself shows no accent.
The train station name has the accent.

The word "Vesúvio" in Portuguese has the accent (which is why the train station has it), so the labels should too (well, at least according to my OCD). But they don't, and never have - neither the Ports nor the Douro DOC wines.

[JacobH]

It's a similar story at Croft. Although almost all the publicity refers to Quinta da Roêda, the bottle labels have it spelt Roeda. What's particularly odd is that Sērikos always appears with the ē which I think is a stress mark from the transliterated Greek rather than anything to do with Portuguese... (But I may be wrong about that!)

[Axel P]

Noval.jpg (251.59 KiB) Viewed 13498 times

[Glenn E.]

How odd... why does Quinta do Passadouro need a ® but Quinta do Noval does not?

Makes me suspicious about what it really is.

[PCM]

How odd... why does Quinta do Passadouro need a ® but Quinta do Noval does not?

Makes me suspicious about what it really is.

There is no need to be so suspicious Glenn: Passadouro already had the "registered trademark" when they were not owned by Quinta do Noval, so they just didn't change the label.

[Glenn E.]

How odd... why does Quinta do Passadouro need a ® but Quinta do Noval does not?

Makes me suspicious about what it really is.

There is no need to be so suspicious Glenn: Passadouro already had the "registered trademark" when they were not owned by Quinta do Noval, so they just didn't change the label.

Really? I'd never noticed it before. I guess I just wasn't paying attention!

(Either that or the fact that I had to deal with several "legalese" style questions today may have put me in the frame of mind to notice things like this.)

[JacobH]

Has Christian Seely ever discussed what his approach to declarations is, these days? I think they have now declared every year since 2011 (inclusive). I get the impression that they think it is worth declaring any year when they have good enough Port, even if it only means that they can release quite small quantities of it. I presume it follows that they feel like they don’t need to hang onto VP-quality wine from minor years for some other purpose and also that it won’t harm their reputation if VP is put out every year.

[JacobH]

Really? I'd never noticed it before. I guess I just wasn't paying attention!

(Either that or the fact that I had to deal with several "legalese" style questions today may have put me in the frame of mind to notice things like this.)

It still looks odd to me seeing a Passadouro label on Noval press-release! I expect the reason is that the Passadouro label was a specially designed logotype so they went to the trouble of registering it whereas Noval uses all sorts of different things depending on the type of wine etc.

[Glenn E.]

Really? I'd never noticed it before. I guess I just wasn't paying attention!

(Either that or the fact that I had to deal with several "legalese" style questions today may have put me in the frame of mind to notice things like this.)

It still looks odd to me seeing a Passadouro label on Noval press-release! I expect the reason is that the Passadouro label was a specially designed logotype so they went to the trouble of registering it whereas Noval uses all sorts of different things depending on the type of wine etc.

It still seems odd to me. In the US, at least as far as I understand it from dealing with product licenses, a word mark applies regardless of the font used, and a property mark applies regardless of the words written. The ® on the label would almost certainly be for a word mark, as the legalese for a trademarked font would be in the legal text on the back label.

I suppose it could be a trademarked logo, but that still seems odd to me.

[PhilW]

It's not St. George's day yet, but TFP have today announced FG19, TTF19 and CrR19, all being held for late release.

[JacobH]

It's not St. George's day yet, but TFP have today announced FG19, TTF19 and CrR19, all being held for late release.

Also a Vargellas, too, I think.

It still seems odd to me. In the US, at least as far as I understand it from dealing with product licenses, a word mark applies regardless of the font used, and a property mark applies regardless of the words written. The ® on the label would almost certainly be for a word mark, as the legalese for a trademarked font would be in the legal text on the back label.

I suppose it could be a trademarked logo, but that still seems odd to me.

Having had a quick look into it, they registered the logo as a logo (a “figurative” mark) back in 1996 and then registered the name “Quinta do Passadouro” as text back in 1998. Slightly odd they didn’t do both at the same time. Also slightly odd that they thought it was necessary to bother with registration in any event. I can’t see that Noval has (although I might have missed it).

[PhilW]

It's not St. George's day yet, but TFP have today announced FG19, TTF19 and CrR19, all being held for late release.

Also a Vargellas, too, I think.

You're right, I missed that one; TV19 as well.

[JacobH]

Incidentally, I think it’s quite a few years since TFP haven’t released any SQVP en primeur. I know that most of it goes out when it is about 10-15 years old but I think some has generally also been available on release. I wonder if, having declared so many vintages in a row, they are worried about running out of things to sell if we hit a bad run of vintages over the next few years?

[Andy Velebil]

Incidentally, I think it’s quite a few years since TFP haven’t released any SQVP en primeur. I know that most of it goes out when it is about 10-15 years old but I think some has generally also been available on release. I wonder if, having declared so many vintages in a row, they are worried about running out of things to sell if we hit a bad run of vintages over the next few years?

Are you sure? I know the Sym’s often hold back QVP’s, but I recall TFP releasing all their QVP’s (and FG) the same year they announce it. When was the last time they held back for a decade or more?

[JacobH]

Incidentally, I think it’s quite a few years since TFP haven’t released any SQVP en primeur. I know that most of it goes out when it is about 10-15 years old but I think some has generally also been available on release. I wonder if, having declared so many vintages in a row, they are worried about running out of things to sell if we hit a bad run of vintages over the next few years?

Are you sure? I know the Sym’s often hold back QVP’s, but I recall TFP releasing all their QVP’s (and FG) the same year they announce it. When was the last time they held back for a decade or more?

I assumed they did a mixture: sell some when they declare it but hold back a stock to sell to big retailers later. For example, Majestic (big chain of wine merchants) is selling the 2005 Taylor QdTF & QdV at the moment. Of the supermarkets which advertise a vintage, Ocado & Waitrose are both advertising the 2008 QdV and looking at “Christmas Port” articles, I can see recommendations for the 2004 for Christmas 2019. I can’t imagine that any of these places have been cellaring these Ports for about a decade before selling them and assumed they must be getting them aged from TFP.

[forest26]

Oscar Quevedo has declared his 2019 VP

[rich_n]

Oscar Quevedo has declared his 2019 VP

What was the last year that Oscar didn't declare a vintage? Is this 5 in a row now?

[JacobH]

Oscar Quevedo has declared his 2019 VP

What was the last year that Oscar didn't declare a vintage? Is this 5 in a row now?

2013 judging by the previous posts on , so I guess that makes it six? Some quantities have been really tiny, though. I guess they, like Noval, are going down a route of putting one whenever they have the grapes, irrespective of quantity?

[Chris Doty]

I guess (Quevedo), like Noval, are going down a route of putting one whenever they have the grapes, irrespective of quantity?

I’ve thought about this about as deeply as I think about anything (which is to say not very) and I’ve come to appreciate this philosophy. If the wine meets their standard for quality and reflects the unique vintage character, let’s have it! If it’s good, we shall have some more. If not, we can crack an 11.

Hope y’all staying sane in these maddening times. Mercifully you can only become mad once.

Woo woo

[rich_n]

I definitely don't mind a producer making a VP any year they think they have a wine that's strong enough, and I've enjoyed the Quevedo I've had so far. I'd guess as a relatively young business this gives them a better chance of establishing themselves more broadly as consumers might take a chance on them in a "down" year like 2015 where most don't declare a full VP.

[Doggett]

I am not sure Quevedo have declared as often as Noval has in the last decade or so... easy to check just haven’t got to it yet, but I would guess that the Noval declarations would be similar if not more.

EDIT

Ps. But I agree with the Great Mr. Doty. If the juice is good enough, then declare it and offer it to your customers. If the juice is not of sufficient quality then you may some have short term wins at the expense of long term losses due to reputations damage. In the case of Quevedo, I think the port I have tried for the last few years, very much deserved to be declared. There has been a purple patch of harvests in the Douro though, for whatever reason.

[JacobH]

It seems to me that history has demonstrated that it is only very rare that a vintage is so bad that it is impossible to produce vintage Port. Perhaps 3 or 4 times a century? That makes me think that declaring 3 times a decade is as much a business model as anything else. (At least in recent years: I fully accept that in the past things were probably harder.)

I suppose for the long-established companies, the question is whether they profit more from the scarcity of not declaring regularly than they would from producing one each year? I imagine those considerations don’t apply to Quevedo or any of the younger companies.

That’s why I think Noval is interesting since it is one of the few traditional shippers that seems to have shifted. Although, I think I am right in saying that it has a history of idiosyncratic declarations. And, of course, unlike many of the larger companies, they don’t really have a SQVP for secondary years.

[MigSU]

Yes, but the question is (and, I think, has always been): what kind of vintage do you want to make? Are you happy to make 'passable' vintage ports, or do you only want to make outstanding vintage ports?

I'm sure we can all agree that a 2002 or a 2006 aren't quite up to the standard of a 2000 or a 2011. So the question comes down to whether you want to make 2002-quality vintages or would you prefer to leave that to SQVP's and only make your main vintages on good/great years.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I would put it a different way. If I could make 2011 outstanding quality Vintage Port every year, I would. Even if that meant in one year I could make 10,000 bottles but in another year I could only make 250 bottles.

I would never make “passable” Vintage Port. If there was a year when I couldn’t make outstanding Vintage Port, I would put all my juice into other kinds of Port.

[MigSU]

I would put it a different way. If I could make 2011 outstanding quality Vintage Port every year, I would. Even if that meant in one year I could make 10,000 bottles but in another year I could only make 250 bottles.

I would never make “passable” Vintage Port. If there was a year when I couldn’t make outstanding Vintage Port, I would put all my juice into other kinds of Port.

I seriously doubt Noval could make even 1 bottle in 2014 that was on the level of their 2000 or 2011. Yet they released a VP in 2014. I don't know how many bottles they released, but, as I said in the beginning, I doubt even 1 of them is on par with their best years.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Now there is an interesting discussion. Noval’s 2014 is a very good Port. It’s a very different style from the 2011 - should they be compared? Do you compare a Montrachet against an Aussie Shiraz to decide which one of the two is great and which is not? Or can you say they are both great but different?

I have drunk all of the Noval VPs since AXA took over and I have not been disappointed by any one of them. Some are better than others, but I consider all of them to be worthy of the label of “Vintage Port”.