£19.99, Cellar Door Wines, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Street Wines; £69 for 6 en primeur, Tanners Wines
An inviting, approachable but cellar-worthy Portuguese red from the team at the Quinta do Noval port estate in an excellent vintage. Generous, perfumed and fruity with floral notes, dark cherry, damson and a touch of liquorice carried by soft, cedar and sandalwood spice, sleek tannins and the energising, mineral lick of wet rocks that is so characteristic of wines, both red and white, from the Douro's schist soils.
The 2018 blend is mainly port grapes – Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and a little Tinto Cão – but with 25% Syrah. It goes very well with duck and lamb, as well as dishes with aubergines, black olives, herbs, anchovies and chorizo. It would also be good with pork (chops, pulled or roast) and would be a welcome guest at any barbecue. While it's pretty irresistible now, in cellar conditions you could age it confidently for another six or seven years. 14%
Cedro do Noval Tinto 2018, Vinho Regional Duriense, Portugal
£19.99, Cellar Door Wines, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Street Wines; £69 for 6 en primeur, Tanners Wines
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