The wine critic highlights the “clear amber colour commensurate with its age (183-years). The nose is fresh and vigorous and just soars from the glass with scents of toffee apple, cumin, dried honey, a touch of eucalyptus and roasted walnut, the oxidative element barely apparent vis-a-vis others of equal age. Ethereal delineation.” About the palate, Neal Martin said the wine is “beautifully balanced with roasted walnut, honey, a touch of marjoram and honeysuckle, moving towards more exotic flavours such as fresh apricot and tangerine/quince towards the thickly layered yet paradoxically refined finish. It is the acidic attack that just electrifies the senses”. With the reference “Values of the Year”, Neal Martin highlights some more Portuguese wines, such as Taylor’s Fladgate Scion (1855 Tawny), Barbeito Terrantez 1975, Pereira d’Oliveira Verdelho 1850, Barbeiro Sercial 1910, Quinta das Tecedeiras Touriga Nacional 2007, Barbeito Malvasia 30-Year Old “Lote Especial” N-V, Quinta do Noval “Black” N-V Port, Quinta do Noval Nacional 1963 and Blandy’s Malmsey 1880. Neal Martin is wine writer for Robert Parker and contributor to Wine-Journal on erobertparker.com