2023 Quinta do Noval Vintage Coll. Case (12,14,15,16,17,18)
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Tasting notes
Quintessential in every sense, the 2023 Vintage Port is a traditional field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, and Sousão. Its deep purple hue is followed by pure aromatics of jammy blackberries, roasted herbs, black olives, graphite, and chocolate. It's full-bodied and rich, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel and a great finish. It's not a massive or blockbuster-style Port, yet it shines for its remarkable purity, balance, and elegance while still bringing rock-solid ripeness and depth. It should hit prime time in a decade (it offers serious pleasure even today) and cruise over the following 40-50 years in cold cellars. The quality that consistently emerges from Quinta do Noval, year after year, is truly remarkable.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Full botlte just 1,302 g. From Julia’s earlier note: A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and a field blend, from 12 parcels, 10 of which are south-west facing (towards Mendiz) and 2 facing east. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca co-fermented, all in granite lagares. Harvested 10–25 September. 18 months in wooden casks. RS 92 g/l, TA 4.3 g/l, pH 3.69. 2,280 cases produced. Blackish dense crimson. Very luscious start almost hides the immense charge of tannin underneath. Black pepper, leather and liquorice. Finishes definitely dry. For cellaring really, although I could imagine drinking it already with stinky cheese such as northern Portugal’s Serra da Estrela. (JR)
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and a field blend, from 12 parcels, 10 of which are south-west facing (towards Mendiz) and 2 facing east. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca co-fermented, all in granite lagares. Harvested 10–25 September. 18 months in wooden casks. RS 92 g/l, TA 4.3 g/l, pH 3.69. 2,280 cases produced. So much darker and more savoury than the Quinta do Passadouro 2023. More peony than violet. Dark, peppery purity of fruit with blackberry and blueberry flavours but less explosively sweet than the Passadouro. Tannins are extremely fine, dense but elegant. This tastes less sweet than the Passadouro though the RS is very slightly higher. Creamy-smooth chocolate texture. Long finish. (JH)
The 2023 Vintage Port from Noval comes from 12 different parcels, southwest facing the Douro and two east-facing, picked from 10 to 25 September, later than the Passadouro. It was fermented in granite lagares and matured for 18 months at the Quinta. The bouquet is exuberant, with bursts from the glass: blueberry, violet, touches of eucalyptus and tar. On the palate, it is fresh and vibrant with very fine tannins, silky smooth with a vivacious and pure finish. Touches of Christmas cake and cracked black pepper linger on the aftertaste. Marvellous.