Quinta do Noval
Tawny 40 Year Old Port
Douro Valley, Portugal
Noval was the first port house to introduce blended tawnies with an indication of average age. Their eldest offering, the Noval Tawny 40 Year Old Port, is a remarkable representation of the quintessence of the Noval Tawny style: a profoundly concentrated and complex old wine, the memory of the house.
A few important points to make up front that set Noval apart: the wine is 100% estate, and 100% trodden by foot. There are other critical points to making the Noval 20 Year Old so exceptional, but the fact the fruit is of the highest possible quality and handled so gently is at the very core.
VINEYARD
Sourced entirely from estate-frown grapes, using the Noval vineyard-based approach that is a rarity in the region. The astonishing terraced vineyards of Noval, perched above the Douro and Pinhao rivers, are an infertile schist, and not soil as much as sheer rock. Elevation of the vineyards ranges from just above river level to 1,200 feet. Average vine density is approximately 2,000 vines per acre, producing on average 30-35 hectoliters per hectare.
WINEMAKING
The grapes are all trodden by foot in the lagares at Quinta do Noval, a traditional, costly and rare approach. The wines used for the blends have an average age of 40 years and were aged in old oak barrels of 640 liters.
Color
Red
Appellation
Douro Valley, Portugal
Alcohol
21%
Reviews
"Invigorating to drink"
Wine Spectator - May 13, 2020 "This is very flattering up front, with a lush wave of warm date, fig and toffee leading the way, backed by subtle bitter almond and Brazil nut notes that add spine and contrast. A flash of green tea pierces the finish, adding a dry hint in turn and bringing you back for more. A wine with power that is also invigorating to drink."
"Smooth, sensual and impeccably balanced"
Wine Advocate - May 13, 2020 "The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2016 with a bar-top cork and 169 grams per liter of residual sugar. The back label talks of "freshness," which seems odd for a 40 Year Old, but Noval delivers all that and more here. The concentrated flavor burst on the lively finish shows touches of molasses and this is far more intense than the other Noval tawnies this issue on all fronts. However, its calling card is not intensity, but its amazingly youthful and fresh demeanor. The lift to the fruit gives this an irresistibly juicy finish, letting all those flavors linger beautifully. It is smooth, sensual and impeccably balanced, never obvious. This is quite fine."
"Terrific stature and visceral intensity"
Decanter - December 29, 2020 "Terrific stature and visceral intensity. Tightly wound acidity, a touch of volatile acidity and Cognac-like spirit drive to the kaleidoscopic palate, unleashing a never-ending panoply of flavors: black cardamom, spicy fruit chutney, salty praline, mocha, dried mango, marmalade and walnut. Ultra-long, well-focused and resonating."
Reviews
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Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Douro Reserva
Douro Valley, Portugal
Very powerful and structured, it is outstanding for its finesse, a delicate character typical of the Quinta do Noval style. It is derived from a strict selection of the best batches of the Quinta's various indigenous grape varieties. This wine is delicious when young and ages well in the cellar.
Fine White Port
Douro Valley, Portugal
A white port made with traditional white grape varietals from the Douro Valley. It is a blend of wines aged between 2 and 3 years to create a wine that is fruity, fine, sweet, unctuous, with a good aromatic persistence.
Branco Reserva
Douro Valley, Portugal
An authentic white wine with the ambitious to represent the best white wine produced in the Douro Valley. It is derived from a strict selection of the best batches of the Quinta's various indigenous grape varieties. Rich and structured, it is outstanding for its finesse and intensity
Vinhas da Marka
Douro Valley
Vinhas da Marka is the very first edition of a new exciting project called ‘Terroir Series’. Every edition will focus on one specific terroir that was identified that year as exceptional. A few years ago, Quinta do Noval concluded an agreement with the Agrellos family for the long term lease of the vineyard of Quinta da Marka, which we had identified as having terroir of exceptional potential. This potential was revealed by the outstanding red wines produced in the 2019 vintage. It was so remarkable, that the Noval team has decided to release a very limited volume of that wine. Only 200 bottles was brought into the US.
Fine Ruby Port
Douro Valley, Portugal
This is a deep-colored lively, peppery wine full of fresh fruit flavors it is bottled after three years in cask. An ideal Port for informal drinking.
Late Bottled Vintage Single Vineyard Port
Douro Valley, Portugal
This wine is a remarkable example of the Noval style. Treated exactly like a Vintage Port with only noble grape varieties that sourced exclusively from estate vineyards, trodden by foot and unfiltered. This expression differs in its extended aging, seeing five years in casks instead of the typical two years for Vintage Ports. Definitely an LBV with a difference, this wine has fine structured tannins, great freshness and purity of fruit. It is delicious to drink today, but will age beautifully in its bottle.
Cedro do Noval Branco
Douro Valley, Portugal
Named after the emblematic cedar tree that dominates Quinta do Noval's terrace, Cedro do Noval is an authentic expression of the Douro. It is made at Quinta do Noval using carefully selected grapes 100 % grown on the highest steeply terraced vineyards of Quinta do Noval, in the heart of the Douro Valley, in Northern Portugal.
Touriga Nacional
Douro DOC
Intense and concentrated, with fine tannic structure, Touriga Nacional is distinguished by its delicacy, a characteristic of the Quinta do Noval style. It is the product of a strict selection from the best lots produced by our Quinta in any given year.
Colheita
Douro Valley
Colheita is a Vintage Tawny Port. Wheras Tawnies with an indication of age show the house style, Vintage Tawnies show the personality of the vintage year. Colheita spends its entire life in barrel until the moment of bottling. On the nose they are fresh, powerful and fruit-forward, with balanced acidity. On the palate they have a nutty, oxidized character with a seductively smooth finish.