Tasting Notes: A barrel-aged, full-bodied Port made with concentrated grapes to enhance the flavour profile. Aromas of mulberry, black cherry, blackcurrant and plum lead to a luscious palate with notes of liquorice, black tea and vanilla.
Region: Douro & Porto, Portugal
Varieties: Tempranillo, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Francisca
ABV: 19.5%
Closure: Cork
Pairing: Serve chilled on its own as an aperitif or enjoy with anything that involves dark chocolate.
More Info: 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 and restored the property by replanting the vines.
Luiz Vasconcelos Porto, his son-in-law, transformed many of the narrow older terraces into broader terraces. This allowed a more efficient use of the land and a better exposure to the sun.
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.
A new bottling line and warehouse was completed in 1997 in Alijo, near Pinhão. This project made Quinta do Noval the first of the traditional Port shippers to centralise all its activities in the Douro Valley.
In the 90's, around a hundred hectares of the domaine were replanted, adapting pruning methods to suit each parcel, focusing on producing excellent-quality grapes.