Noval’s Tawny NV is an elegant, fleshy wine with good richness and a fresh, tangy finish. Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Barroca are the major grape varieties here, sourced from both the estate and Noval’s A-category suppliers. This wine is aged for three years-plus in large oak vats before the final blending and bottling.

Noval’s wine tends to be darker and have more fruitcake richness than most entry Tawnies in the market. This is a legacy of the quality of material involved and the higher rate of evaporation that occurs in Douro—as opposed to Vila Nova de Gaia—which concentrates the grape’s natural residual sugars. Showcasing an intense brick colour, this has a complex nose with youthful cherry fruit and anise. On the palate, it is medium-sweet, with rich fruit and a fresh finish. Try it slightly chilled as an aperitif as they do at the estate (and in France), or enjoy at room temperature with dark chocolate desserts or coffee.