2016 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port

98 Points and In Stock!

"A Superb Baby Noval"

98 JS / 98 WS / 97 DE / 97 WA / 18 JR

$94.89 (750ml) In Stock - Buy Now

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As we look deeper into our 2016 vintage ports, we now highlight the single-vineyard estate Quinta do Noval!

Quinta do Noval is an historic name with iconic status in the world of wine. But it is above all a vineyard. In the heart of the Douro Valley, great wines have been made in this place since the early 18th century.

The name of Quinta do Noval first appeared in land registries in 1715. António José da Silva, a port shipper from Porto, acquired Quinta do Noval in 1894, after its devastation by phylloxera. He restored the property by replanting the vines.

Quinta do Noval made its name with the declaration of the 1931 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port. Because of the global depression and the enormous production and shipment of the 1927 Vintage, most shippers did not declare the 1931. This success established Quinta do Noval among the great names of Vintage Port in the English and American markets, a leading position in terms of reputation which is maintained today.

The Quinta do Noval Vintage Port made from a strict selection of the best wines from their 192 hectare vineyard. The subtle differences of aspect, climate and soil of the various parcels of this extensive vineyard give the wines of Noval complexity and depth that are unique to Quinta do Noval.

“We are very conscious of this glorious history, but we are also aware that today is a great time for Quinta do Noval, and that our vineyard is capable of producing wines that are among the greatest in the world."

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2016 Quinta Do Noval

$94.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

98 JS / 98 WS / 97 DE / 97 WA / 18 JR

This is a superb baby Noval that reminds me of the 1966. Chewy yet so polished. The light sweetness suggests an overall dialing back of the sugar content. Stemmy and lightly green. A truly classic Noval. Almost all from Pinhao. Buy. Better in 2025.” - James Suckling

The 2016 Vintage Port is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão and Sousão, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in with 82 grams of residual sugar. This was in bottle for only about seven weeks when seen, but I made sure at least some of it had a lot of air. It looks super, with plenty of room to grow in the cellar. Christian Seely likes to say that this regular Noval and the Nacional are not better than one another, just different. In fact, I usually prefer Nacional, but in this vintage I make a case for equality and endorse that view. This was stunning from the first smell, promising concentration, intensity of fruit and great things to come. It had a 100-point nose that made me go "wow!" No wine I tasted had a better nose than this. Violets and blue fruits lead off, with a trace of eucalyptus. I tend to think Noval is a producer that always shows mid-palate finesse, but this seems pretty deep too. It is also intense. The tannins won't sear your mouth because the balance is impeccable. To be sure, it might close down, but it is surprisingly approachable now, notwithstanding that intensity. Rest assured that this lively young Porto still has all the materials to make old bones. Needless to say, "approachable" does not mean "ready." You need to toss this in the cellar for a decade, at least. Purists will say to double that or more. When the palate becomes as expressive as the nose—if it does—this will be entitled to an uptick. - Mark Squires, Wine Advocate