2016 Quinta do Noval Reserva

There’s a rich array of ripe dark berries on the palate with bold, chewy tannins. Would be better tackled after some time to mellow in bottle. Try from 2024.

Best of the best grapes of the year – like vintage port. Deep crimson. Zesty nose and with a nice blend of different flavours. Fine texture with the tannins ripe enough but nothing like as glorious as the ports from this address. (JR)

The 2016 Reserva, rebranded from the former Estate Tinto with just Quinta do Noval on the label, is a blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca and various others, all aged for ten months in French oak of varying ages (only 35% new). It comes in at 14% alcohol. A bit richer than the 2015 (also reviewed as the Tinto, the estate red), while maintaining the same tannic structure and fresh feel, this is also nicely textured with a wave of velvet up front. It maintains sophisticated and gorgeous mid-palate finesse too. This has the potential to be special, one of the best I've seen in the brand, if not the best table wine from Noval. To me, this has a bit better balance than the 2015. Carlos Agrellos said he preferred it, and he's right—if only by a little. The competition will be fierce over the next couple of decades, and that conclusion may change on these very powerful and very young wines. It is worth leaning up on this beauty's evaluation just now, but take note—that is for unrealized potential, and this was only in bottle for about two weeks when seen. It should age very well, by the way, but let's start here. At some point, it will need reevaluation.