Not another stodgy Port: Noval Black

Many Port producers continue the ancient custom of treading ripe grapes in concrete vats called lagares.

As I write this holiday-season column about Port, a troubling thought comes to mind: Doesn’t most everyone think Port is, well, stodgy? Even the august New York Times is on the record saying so.
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Noval Black Reserve Porto

Noval Black

Noval Black Reserve Porto isn’t quite black in the glass, but it’s definitely a dark blackish-purple. Appealing blueberry scents lead to a rich, sweet flavor that shows fascinating complex nuances of sweet dates, dried cherries and dried figs, plus a touch of dark chocolate in the background.

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Check prices and find vendors for Noval Black Reserve Porto on Wine-Searcher.com.

Learn more about Quinta do Noval and browse its Port portfolio at this Wine-Searcher link.

Follow this Wine-Searcher link to read more about Reserve Ruby Port and find listings for dozens of other wines of this type.
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Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Reserva

Frescobaldi 2020 Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Reserva

Dark reddish-purple with a clear ruby edge, Frescobaldi 2020 Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Reserva breathes appetizing scents of ripe black cherries and blackberries, with subtler earthy back notes of coffee and cedar. An excellent Riserva, it benefits from the nuances that wood aging imparts but does not succumb to them.

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Check prices and find vendors for Frescobaldi 2020 Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Reserva on Wine-Searcher.com.

Follow this Wine-Searcher link to read about Tuscany’s Chianti Rufina sub-region and browse dozens of the area’s wines.

Read about Castello Nipozzano and look for wines from its portfolio at this Wine-Searcher link. Read article.

Perrin “Nature” Côtes du Rhône

Perrin "Nature"

Dubbed “Nature” because it’s made with certified organic grapes, Famille Perrin 2020 “Nature” Côtes du Rhône shows an attractive dark-ruby color all the way to a thin clear edge, with bright crimson glints against the light. A lovely mix of ripe raspberries and cherries fill the nose and palate, with floral black pepper and a whiff of roses following. It’s a fine Rhône red at a value price.

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Check prices and find vendors for Perrin “Nature” Côtes du Rhône on Wine-Searcher.com.

Learn more about Famille Perrin and browse sources for its wines at this Wine-Searcher link.

Follow this Wine-Searcher link to read about Côtes du Rhône and find listings for dozens of wines from the region. Read article.

Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir

Albert Bichot Bourgogne

Typical of Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Albert Bichot Bourgogne Veilles Vignes de Pinot Noir is an attractive ruby color, not too dark. Raspberry and strawberry aromas at first, with elusive hints of cranberry and pomegranate joining in. Mouthwatering acidity frames appetizing red fruit flavors that follow the nose.

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Check prices and find vendors for Albert Bichot Bourgogne Veilles Vignes de Pinot Noir on Wine-Searcher.com.

Read about Domaines Albert Bichot at this Wine-Searcher link, where you’ll find vendors and prices for Bichot’s portfolio.

Follow this Wine-Searcher link to learn more about Bourgogne Rouge and find listings for dozens of other wines of this appellation. Read article.