This wine has the dark fruit typical of this quinta, but this year shows more elegance than usual, with dusty tannins and concentrated, sweet fruit.

Thick and finely textured Port. Lovely aromas of anise, berries and mint. Full-bodied, very sweet, with silky tannins. Fruity finish. Best after 2004. 2,900 cases made.

The Quinta do Vesuvio 1998 remains slightly muted on the nose with notes of small black cherries, smoke and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, the fruits having mellowed over the last few years, less high-toned with attractive black olive notes inflecting the glossy black fruits. The finish is still a little broody with a smudge of alcohol denying it delineation.