Noval, one of the showpiece estates of the Douro, releases vintages in most years. This wine gives a fine reflection of what is, in fact, a great vintage which was almost a general declaration. It is impressive, ripe with generous black fruits and a fine balance between the spirit and the rich structure and fruit. It is going to mature quickly in the sense that it can be drunk within the next five years. It will also age for several decades.

The 2015 Vintage Port is the normal blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão and Sousão, all from the estate, that spent 18 months in barrel. This full-bodied, rich, opulent effort offers textbook plum and raisined fruits with loads of candied black olives, orange rind, and spice. Despite its richness and depth, it's surprisingly fresh and lively, with integrated acidity, sensational purity of fruit, and a brilliant sense of elegance. It needs a decade of cellaring and will keep for 3-4 more decades.

This has intense boysenberry, fig and plum reduction flavors, backed by a bramble-filled finish. Youthfully tight and backward, this is a touch more muscular in profile than the '16, though it is still very polished in feel. A brick house in this not-widely-declared vintage.-Non-blind Quinta do Noval vertical (May 2018). Best from 2030 through 2050. 2,600 cases made, 180 cases imported.

The 2015 Vintage Port from Noval was picked from 2 September, stopping for the mid-September rain and restarting on 24 September. It has a tightly wound bouquet with black cherries, eau-de-vie, touches of sage and pencil shavings, light menthol scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly saline entry, fine depth, but not the most powerful Noval in recent years; black pepper becomes more prominent towards the finish. This Port is sleek and seductive, though probably five or six years away from being ready as there is still a bit of toughness on the finish. Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.