Quinta do Vesuvio 2011 is a silky, powerful Port with heady aromatic and floral notes behind the ripe, dark black fruit. Blueberry, cassis and plum notes dominate, which are still quite primary along with toffee, pepper and mocha. Still young, but brilliant.

Quinta do Vesuvio is made up of some of the Douro’s finest vineyards. It’s big, nearly 40 hectares and is said to have seven hills and thirty vineyards, which is probably not accurate, but you get the picture. The house was started by the Ferreiras and due to Portuguese inheritance law, by 1989, 18 members of the family had a share in the company which presented obvious issues and conflicts. The Symington’s bought the estate, reinvigorated it and decided to introduce a new concept of a single Quinta that only produced vintage Port. Quinta do Vesuvio is only released in great years, in others the grapes are sold off. It’s a special Port.