Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

1999:
'Distinctive & age-worthy version, classy '01 has fynbos scents and beautifully moderated richness. Boosted by maturing Touriga vines & ungrafted ±30 yr-old tinta (blend also including dash Souzao). As always, sugar, alc & acid well-balanced for edgier, gripper style - with elegance. Exciting long-term potential.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2004, 4.5*

'Ageworthy "port" made only in exceptional vintages. Current 99 finest since 91 and breakthrough 86, which announced Carel N's Portuguese-inspired lofty aspirations. 99 gains extra fillip from maturing touriga naçional vyd, ungrafted +-30-yr-old tinta, fine-tuned sugar:alc ratio (90g/l, 19% vs 94,.4, 18.8 of pvs). Result is punchier, edgier style, now showing smoky/peaty nuances, elegance despite big structure. Exiting long-term potential. 18 mths 500l Portuguese pipes.' - Platters SA Wine Guide 2003, 4.5*

2001:
'Showing the kind of longevity in bottle that would put a smile on the face of a top Port producer, this 2001 Vintage Reserve is impressively dense, youthful and layered, all fig, mulberry and liquorice flavours, well-handled spirit, grippy tannins and undertones of aniseed and black pepper.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 94/100

'Distinctive & ageworthy version, made only in exceptional yrs, 99 (5*), finest since 91 and breakthrough 86, matched by classy 01, fynbos scents & Beautifully modulated richness. Like 99, boosted by mature touriga vines & ungrafted +-30-yr-old tinta (blend also incl dash souzão). As always, sugar, alc & acid well-balanced (93.5gl, 19.4%, 5.6g/l) for edgier, gripper style - with elegance. Exciting long-term potential. +-1 mths 500l Portuguese pipes.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2004, 4.5*

2002:
'Distinctive & ageworthy fortified dessert, made only in exceptional yrs. Confirms Carel N's mastery, richly elegant 02 joins 99, 91 & 86 in the guide's top echelon. Suffused with gorgeous fynbos fragrance; superb structure, refinement, focus, with no compromise to house's approachable style. WINE's 2004 Port of yr. 01 (4.) also had that haunting heather aroma, beautifully moderated richness. Like 99, boosted by mature touriga vines (12 yrs) & ungrafted +-30-yr-old tinta (blend also contains dash souzão). Sugar, alc & acid (roughly 95g/l, 19%, 5.5g/l) geared for edgier, gripper style with elegance. Exciting long-term potential.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2005, 5*

'Good saturated ruby. Brooding, somewhat exotic nose combines black cherry, black raspberry, dark chocolate and a whiff of orange peel. Superconcentrated and penetrating, with flavors of blueberry, blackberry, bitter chocolate and mint framed and intensified by bright acids. This has terrific fruit and a strong supporting spine. Tactile, gripping finish features subtle length. Certainly one of the best vintage-dated ports I've tasted in recent years from outside the Douro Valley.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com, 90/100 (March 2005)