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Douro, Portugal
This stunning wine is made from 50% Estate fruit with the balance from "A" grade producers in the heart of the Douro Valley. This is the youngest of the Noval Tawnies with an age indication. The age indicates an average with the wine made from what effectively amounts to a solera system. The 10 year old displays a complex, lifted aroma of dried fruits and nuts. Rich and smooth on the palate it has elegant structure and a long, dry finish. A superb example. Match with Stilton or powerful cheddar cheeses.
This stunning wine is made from 50% Estate fruit with the balance from "A" grade producers in the heart of the Douro Valley. This is the youngest of the Noval Tawnies with an age indication. The age indicates an average with the wine made from what effectively amounts to a solera system. The 10 year old displays a complex, lifted aroma of dried fruits and nuts. Rich and smooth on the palate it has elegant structure and a long, dry finish. A superb example.
Match with Stilton or powerful cheddar cheeses.
Varietal / Blend: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca
Decant: Not necessary
Closure: Cork
Farming Practices: Conventional
Quinta do Noval is one of the great Port houses. Not only does Noval produce the most famous Vintage Port of them all, the legendary ‘Nacional’, it was also the creator of the “Late Bottled” style in 1954 and of single vintage Tawnies (Colheita) in 1954. It is also the only big name producer whose top wines are exclusively single vineyard (i.e. “Quinta”). Think of the difference between a Burgundy domaine and a Burgundy negociant to get an idea of what this means. The Vintage Ports of Quinta do Noval (including Nacional) have always been from the same vineyard. The quality of all Quinta do Noval’s wines has gone through the roof since the early 1990’s when Englishman Christian Seely was put in charge.
Many changes occurred, however none have affected the production methods of Noval’s estate-produced Ports that continue to be hand picked from the ancient terraces, foot crushed and fermented in stone lagares (which Noval believes is still the best way to produce quality Port).
Today, Noval’s vintage and Colheita Ports (vintage-dated Tawnies) are all made exclusively from estate-grown grapes. This contrasts radically with all of the other big names of the region who buy fruit to blend to a house style. A high percentage of the blends for Noval's LBV, LB (vintage character) and Old Tawnies - 10, 20 and over 40 Years Old - also come from the estate. Tawnies - 10, 20 and over 40 Years Old - also come from the estate.
Although most famous for its Ports, the Quinta do Noval estate is far from a mono-culture: it also produces world class red and white table wines, vegetables, herbs, olives, olive oil, oranges, figs, clementines, walnuts and pigs.
