Description
Quinta do Noval encapsulates the Douro – in both location and spirit. Dating back to 1715, it is the only historic Port shipper to bear the name of its vineyard (rather than gathering grapes from elsewhere), to produce single vineyard vintage Ports displaying the nuances of the land and, as of 1997, to have centralized all of its activities to the Douro Valley including bottling and storing its wines. To walk these magnificent terraced vineyards rising up from the riverbank is to touch upon the beating heart of the Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tasting Notes
The 2017 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port was picked from August 21 to September 28 under perfect conditions. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires a lot of aeration. Eventually it reveals fabulous, detailed aromas of cassis, bilberry jam, crushed stone and pressed violets, later hints of orange blossom and quince. The palate is pure class. Saturated tannins, wonderful structure but the headline is the intensity of fruit. I cannot remember a Noval with this penetration, almost overwhelming the senses as layers of effervescent black plum and cassis fruit segue into a spicy finish that fans out like there is no tomorrow. Is this the best Quinta do Noval ever? [97 Points, Neal Martin– May 2019, vinous.com]
