2001 Pera Manca

Still under the old label (changed 2003), and a lighter bottle. Their best and oldest (40+ years) plots of Aragonez and Trincadeira. Fermented in big (12,000-litre) oak vats and aged 18 months in 3,000–5,000 litre French oak casks. Bricky red with tawny rim. Sweet, seductive aromas of age, undergrowth, dried sweet cherry, leather, mushrooms. Tannins are dry but not yet drying. This is still harmonious but I think it should be drunk in the next few years before the fruit completely disappears. (JH)