Two sweet and one strong from Europe

2015 DV by Ch Doisy Vedrines
Sauternes (second label) and not a wine I have tried before.

Pale gold colour with green tints- cumquat, vanilla, pure, fresh; light peach and apple on the palate, but there is not much persistence. Authentic but not  thrilling (served blind, from half- bottle)

Drink now, 88 points

2013 Ch Raymond Lafon 13%
Sauternes (80% semillon, 20% sav blanc)

Sauternes. Deeper gold colour, wax and honey; supple with much more texture – orange citrus and tropical notes. Apricots and light nuts – this is a serious wine, with vibrancy and conpelcoity (served blind, from half- bottle)

Drink to 2032, 92 points

2005 quinta do noval silval vintage port 19.5%
Portugal

Single Quinta wines from – generally – undeclared years can combine huge pleasure with VFM. Anyway, this shows delicious juicy blueberry and red cherry, there’s some “putty” in the spirit, a touch of almond meal. There’s substance and texture, but tannins are fully resolved and “diffuse”. Clear Portuguese style, but lacking the presence and intensity of a generally declared year. No complaints, buts it’s a drink soon proposition.

Drink to 2030, and 90 points

Portuguese, available and terrific

2017 Quinta do Noval (unfiltered) LBVP 19.5%
The LBVP is halfway cross between a VP, and a tawny, this one aged five years in Portuguese oak and chestnut casks. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Sousão, made from a decent year, with excellent fruit selection, and care. The style can easily improve with some bottle age – and represent great value! This wine was purchased at retail recently for $65.

A vibrant dense crimson colour, lashings of cherry liqueur and blueberries. Juicy, fleshy, bursting with vitality, and a touch of liquorice. Proper tannins, integrated spirit. Mixed fruit peel, dark spices, old leather, very, very comforting.

93 points and drink with real pleasure to 2033.