Quinta do Noval is an astonishing wine estate, with a rare combination of deep history and innovation. Founded in 1715, it has changed hands just twice over 300 years. The most important thing to understand about Quinta do Noval is, that unlike the other famous names in the world of Port, Noval is a single estate, a single vineyard, a producer that controls every step of production from vine to bottle. The Quinta do Noval 20 Year Old Tawny Port is made entirely from fruit cropped from the Quinta do Noval estate, so this is a step up in quality as well as age from the 10 year old. In Port and the Douro, Richard Mayson has referred to this category as, “the epitome of balance combining freshness and delicacy with the secondary toasted almond and walnut complexity from ageing in wood.” Noval’s contribution to the 20-year-old field is pure premier league. Sublimely elegant and refined, there’s so much intricacy and toffee-scented depth. It’s a perfect example of how delicious and complex a 20-year-old Tawny Port can be.

Arguably one of the greatest Australian Tawny Ports, Penfolds Great Grandfather is a refinement of the reserve material used for the Grandfather Tawny. With an average age of 15 years, fruit is picked from vines that are 166 years old. For serious port-lovers this is heaven.

Seppeltsfields founder, Joseph Seppelt and his eldest son, Benno, both possessed an incredibly long-term vision and outlook for Seppeltsfield, working tirelessly to ensure a legacy was passed on to future generations. This is manifest in Benno Seppelts inception of the Centennial Cellar, a remarkable system of laying down and maturing single barrels of vintage Tawny for significant ageing before release. It is believed to be the world's only unbroken lineage of single vintage wines spanning more than 130 consecutive vintages. This amazing resource allows Seppeltsfield to offer the release of wines at the 30, 40, 50,60,70,80 and 90 year anniversaries to mark a special birthday or milestone.

Quinta do Noval is the go to Port house for those who prefer VP in a more elegant guise. 1995 was a terrific year at Noval and now almost 20 years old, it is a beautifully balanced and supple wine with a lush, plump texture and smooth, round tannins. Intense flavours of plums, raisins and dark chocolate abound with a hint of secondary development now peaking through.

Sercial produces the driest and most bracing Madeira style, and is best served as an aperitif, with tapas style dishes or seafood. It also works very well with Sashimi, consommés or soups.

It’s fleshy, with a round and velvety texture and a long, vibrant finish. Unfortified again, the nose throws hints of caramel, orange rind and toasted almonds. The palate is mellow and super-complex, with lively freshness and complex flavours of quince, bitter orange and loads of brown spice and tobacco notes. The finish is long and iodine-rich. Perfect to drink on its own or sensational with almonds, charcuterie and very mature cheese.

FRITZ HAAG Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling-Beerenauslese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer