Quinta do Vesuvio Capela 2017

This is an old-vine Port with two-thirds coming from ancient ones. Bark, black tea, crushed grapes and mahogany. Big and grippy. Old, traditional styled Port with incredible depth and power. Big yet polished tannins. This is foot-trodden. Co-fermented. Real deal. 470 cases. Try after 2030.

Intense, with a terrific beam of blueberry, açaí and blackberry puree flavors coursing along, flanked by graphite and baker's chocolate notes and scored by streaks of licorice snap on the finish. A subtle violet accent weaves in the background, giving this lift and contrast. Offers a sappy, concentrated finish. Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, Sousão and Touriga Franca. Best from 2035 through 2055. 472 cases made, 38 cases imported. — JM

The 2017 Capela da Quinta do Vesúvio Vintage Port is principally a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão and Alicante Bouschet aged for 18 months in seasoned vats. It comes in at 105 grams of residual sugar. This was a pre-bottling sample. 2035 - 2080