96

1997 Quinta do Noval Colheita Port, Douro Valley

( £39, 21.5%, Fine Wines Direct, Ocado, SH Jones )

If you’re a fan of vintage dated Tawnies (aka Colheita Ports), they don’t come much better than this. It’s endearlingly, palate-stimulatingly spicy, with real intensity and focus, an impression of heat and figgy intensity, a faint undertone of spirit and a finish that lingers on the palate for minutes. The wine is drier than many examples, with the structure that is the hallmark of Noval’s wood-aged Ports.

Drinking window: 2013-25Similar Wines: £10-£20, 96-100, Portugal, Fortified, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional