| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | Portugal > Port |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Fortified |
The dense 2003 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port displays an impenetrable black robe. Its profound aromatics exude notes of Damson plums, blackberries, fresh herbs, flowers, and hints of vanilla. Built for the long-haul, this refined wine reveals massive thickness, concentration, and depth. Its plummy character is redolent with black cherries, violets, pepper, and figs. Even after 4 days of air this intense effort was firmly backward (possibly even more so than immediately after opening!). Projected maturity: 2035-2055.
This is a fantastic young port with a depth and richness. Dark berry with forest flower, bark and spice. Full-bodied yet compacted and beautiful. Rich finish. Just a baby. Real and typical. Better to leave this for four or five years still.
Late picked (mid-October) despite the hot summer, this Port is still very deep and opaque with a thin crimson rim. It's beautifully and unexpectedly open on the nose, with a magnificent, haunting floral fragrance of violets and rose petals. The palate is ripe and plummy, initially quite opulent with lovely ripe, broad tannins rising in the mouth. There's a bitter-chocolate intensity on the mid-palate, yielding to a glorious finish. Massive yet supremely elegant at the same time, this is already impressive but will be better still in five years. 350 cases declared. 2023-2050.
The Quinta do Noval Nacional 2003 is more backward on the nose than the Vintage Noval '03, with perfumed black plum, incense, lavender and spice. The aromatics here are pure and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins matched by a killer line of acidity that comes wholly unexpected given the growing season. Thus, it is extremely focused and vigorous, with superb precision and tension. This is a modern-day legend in the making, superior to the 2000 and 1997. Drink 2018-2045. Tasted January 2014.
Very grapey on the nose, with blackberry and licorice undertones that follow to the palate. Massive on the palate. Medium sweet. It is supertannic, yet silky and caressing. Another super Nacional.
