Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo LBV Port 2012 Cima Corgo, Douro, Portugal 75cl

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is one of the Douro’s grand old estates, set in the Cima Corgo heartland above the river, with a winery, vineyards and a country house that trace back generations. Its Ports are made in a modern, terroir-focused style that keeps fruit purity to the fore.

A Late Bottled Vintage is a single-year Port aged longer in cask than a declared vintage, then bottled ready to enjoy. This one is drawn from old-vine fruit and blends the classic Douro grapes, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Tinta Barroca, foot-trodden in traditional lagares before fortification and extended ageing.

The 2012 fruit came from the estate’s older parcels in the Cima Corgo, and this LBV is bottled unfiltered, giving it more concentration and grip than many in the category. It will throw a light deposit, so decanting suits it well.

On the palate it is full-bodied and layered, with macerated black fruit, black plum and a graphite edge, firm structure and a long, focused finish. There is a fine balance between alcohol and sweetness, and enough backbone to hold for years yet.

The 2012 was warmly received by critics, with 90 points from The Wine Advocate (Mark Squires), 92 from Decanter and 90 from Wine Spectator, strong marks for a wine that offers so much for the money. Ready to enjoy now but with the structure to keep, it is a fine introduction to serious Douro Port. Serve it with blue cheese, walnuts and dark chocolate, or enjoy a glass on its own to round off a meal.