Noval Black (75cl, 19.5%)

Noval Black is a reserve ruby port from Quinta do Noval in Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 19.5% ABV in a 750ml format. It is made from a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão. Roughly half the fruit is foot-trodden in traditional granite lagares and the remainder is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The nose opens with concentrated mulberry, blackcurrant and ripe black cherry, followed by violet, liquorice and vanilla. The palate brings dark plum, juicy black cherry and raisin, with fine-grained tannins and a medium-long finish of prune and dark chocolate.