Quinta dos Mattos 2017 – Vintage Porto

(Bottled: 2019) The nose is fruity and a bit closed. The wine needs to be decanted. It reveals notes of crushed blackberry, shiny black plum and small notes of jammy cassis associated with touches of pepper, liquorice stick as well as hints of aromatic herbs and a discreet almost balsamic hint. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers minerality, a fresh frame, straightness, acidity, a certain tension as well as an elegant, mellow and discreetly tight grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crushed cassis, blackberry liqueur and small notes of blueberry associated with a touch of crushed strawberry, liquorice stick, a hint of menthol as well as fine hints of coffee and toast. Tannins are racy and mellow. Good work on the good bitterness, especially on the finish. A fine firmness on the finish. Gourmand!