Croft Quinta da Roeda Vintage Port, 2015

Intense purple-black centre surrounded by a vivid magenta rim. A typical Quinta da Roêda Vintage Port nose made up of a rich plump dark berry compote infused with exotic notes of ripe tropical fruit and the subtle pungency of wild herbs. Warm notes of liquorice, dark chocolate and spice contribute to the wine’s opulent character. The palate is smooth, round and full of rich, jammy flavour. The wine’s silky texture conceals the firm, well-knit tannins which emerge on the finish to provide an attractive firmness and grip. Characteristically of the 2015 Vintage Ports, the wine is immediately appealing but will continue to gain in elegance and refinement over the next three decades.

Plum purple in colour with vibrant blackcurrant fruit and spice on the nose. Well balanced with complex brambly fruit flavours on the palate. The finish is long with subtle notes of licorice and prune.

Both nose and the start of the palate are fresh a mix of bramble and red fruits a hint of spice. Under the freshness on the mid palate there is the richness of ripe black cherry more depth of flavour the sweetness underpinned by tannin all a bit tight and although there is a more generosity at the back the finish is firm lacking a bit of depth. 2029-40 92 Derek Smedley