The NV Black Ruby Reserve Porto is mostly Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinto Cão aged in an equal mixture of oak and stainless steel. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar per liter. This has many fine attributes, but the most important is that it seems very much like Noval. Laced with an invigorating eucalyptus/cistus aromatic, it is always elegant in the mid-palate yet somehow still solid, something I find Noval does very well. It was one of the relatively few in this report that actually seemed better two days later (and most of the others were unfiltered). There is plenty of finesse and lift to the fruit. It is pointed, ripe and chock full of flavor while still showing off some power and structure. This was, in fact, a bit tight on opening. One of the more distinctive Reserves (in part, thanks to the aromatics), this is very well done at a good price point. It became one of my favorites. It is lovely and exceeds expectations, so I'm leaning up on this a bit. (MS)

Sour cherry flavors and nutmeg spice fill this supple, fruit-driven Porto. The tannins feel integrated into the fruit, darkening it to plum-skin flavors and enriching the texture, making this easy to drink on its own.

This is made from Quinta do Noval's younger vines. The back label urges us to serve it chilled as an aperitif or with dark chocolate at any time. Dark crimson. High-toned and rather refined on the nose. Then very sweet and smooth on the palate. Builds on the finish, which turns dry in the end. Pretty damned good! Very appetising and ready to enjoy already. Clean and fresh with, yes, a hint of violets. (JR)