Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage 2019 Port

€ 1,000.00

Seely described the 2019 Nacional as “powerful, structured and long…at the same time fine, fresh and elegant”. “Very complex and profound, we believe this to be a great Nacional,” he said.

Food-Pairing

A delicious digestive, but can also be accompanied by rich old cheeses, dark chocolate or chocolate mousse.

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão

Grapes are trodden by foot to obtain the must, then during fermentation macerate to obtain the best possible extraction in the lagares, the traditional stone vats from the Quinta. It is matured for 18 months in wooden casks in the air conditioned cellars of the Quinta, at the demarcated region of the Douro Valley before bottling.

The word "Nacional" refers to the fact that the vines are Portuguese vines growing in Portuguese soil with no foreign root stock, and are therefore "attached to the soil of the Nation". During the late 19th Century, the best vineyard of Noval was saved from the Phylloxera outbreak that destroyed most European vines, through intense fumigation. Rather than grafting the vines to American rootstock, the standard practice to give resistance to the Phylloxera aphid, the vineyard survived with their original Portuguese rootstock – hence the name, ‘Naçional’. The legendary Naçional is made from a 6-acre parcel of ungrafted vines, which when declared will only produce 200-300 cases, instantly becoming the most sought-after port in the world. Many vintages of Naçional are considered as the finest ports, and some of the finest wines, ever made.

2019 was marked by a mild winter and generally dry conditions, with almost no rain from May to the end of August. While in many parts of Europe producers faced heatwaves, and although we enjoyed prolonged sunny weather, summer temperatures in the Douro were fortunately lower than usual this year, making the absence of rain easier to bear for the vines. Moreover, low humidity led to low disease pressure in the vineyards and beautiful healthy grapes.

Harvest started on September 9th for the red varieties. Harvesting conditions were ideal, with moderate temperatures and overall dry weather. A small amount of helpful rain fell on September 21st/22nd and later between October 14th and 17th.

Yields were slightly higher than our 10-year average and musts showed great natural acidity and freshness.

We finished harvesting on October 18th after 6 weeks of picking. This was a long harvest, but this is not unusual in the Douro, where the diversity of grape varieties, aspects and altitudes results in different picking times for each specific plot.

This diversity represents a challenge for the technical team but also an incredible richness, adding complexity and character to our wines at Quinta do Noval.

Early tastings revealed some marvelous wines. They display pronounced aromatic intensity of ripe red fruit and remarkable vivacity. The fine quality of the tannins contributes to well-structured Ports with long ageing potential.

Alcoholcontent

19,5%

Store & Serve

Serve at cellar temperature at 12 - 15ºC.

Decant before serving. Can be kept for up to 2 days after opening.

Critics & Awards

98/100 - Wine Enthusiast Tasted: Dec 2021

This iconic Port comes from a small parcel of ungrafted vines close to the house at Noval. This latest incarnation is wonderfully perfumed, with powerful, ageworthy tannins. It is dry and boldly structured, with a rich plum core that's bolstered by piercing acidity. Don't drink before 2032. Roger Voss

Tags: Quinta do Noval - Douro - Porto