Portwein 1964 Quinta do Noval Tawny Port

"This release is rich enough, but gorgeously balanced, aromatic and complex. It is a triumph over the year, which, as described by the winery “was a year of difficult weather conditions, with a severe winter, late burst and early drought. Rain in Spring and August. A very hot September. The year was characterized by late rain and inconstant weather that affected the harvest. The year was particularly marked by the lack of human labour in the vineyard due to illegal emigration towards France.” When I first saw this 1964 several years back, it was in full flight and unusually exuberant. A year or so in the bottle has calmed this new version down (the earlier release that I saw was bottled around the end of 2007 or early 2008). It frankly did not seem quite as impressive, although it is very fine. Now, it seems to emphasize instead its impeccable balance, showing increasingly fine harmony and elegance, some subtlety to go with its pungent aromatics and a long, gripping finish, driving fruit into the palate. How can something this old, this long in cask possibly be so fresh, harmonious and graceful? It is a pleasure just to smell and its ability to remain persistent is quite impressive. It settled in around Day 2 and maintained impeccable balance for the next several days (until gone)." 

Ein Colheita ist eigentlich ein Tawny aus einem einzigen Jahrgang, der jedoch wohl den größten Teil seiner Lebenszeit im Fass verbracht hat und erst unmittelbar vor dem Verkauf abgefüllt wird. Die Colheitas weisen darum einen klar erkennbaren Jahrgangsstil auf, aber werden nicht das ungeheure Depot eines großen in der Flasche gereiften Vintage Ports bilden. 

Die Geschenkidee für den Geburtstag, dem Hochzeitstag oder das besondere Jubiläum.