2016 Quinta do Noval

Seeing out the week of highly celebrated 2016 Vintage Port releases is the magnificent Quinta do Noval. In a vintage praised by Jancis Robinson as “a fine showcase for the continued sophistication of port (and Douro) winemaking”, Quinta do Noval lives up to its reputation for elegance and purity. Positioned at the heart of the Pinhao and Roncoa valleys, Quinta do Noval has some of the best terroir in the Douro and is home to the world’s most collectable and highly praised single vineyard Port – ‘Nacional’. Only 170 cases of Nacional were produced in 2016, so only a very lucky few will be able to get hold of a bottle. This need not detract however from the abundant beauty and excitement delivered by Noval’s flagship Vintage Port. A favourite of FINE+RARE’s for many years, the 2016 Quinta do Noval more than lives up to preceding vintages and stands out in this year’s line-up as one of the most complete and accomplished ports of the 2016 vintage. Marked by its characteristic purity of fruit and elegant complexity, the 2016 is at the same time absolutely bombastic in flavour teeming with citrus, blueberry, blackberry and sultana fruit, and a multitude of complimentary herbs and spices. The wine is extremely balanced, integrated and somehow the most composed and confident of all the Ports we tasted. Fresh, luscious and concentrated juicy fruit – a medley of cassis, red cherries, strawberries, tangerine and mango. Sweet and spicy, with a savoury and herbal layer added by pepper, eucalyptus, thyme and lavender. Wonderfully velvety tannins testament to brilliant elevage and a nod to the vintage. A complete joy to the senses.