Noval "Black" Reserve Ruby Port

[Andy Velebil]

This is a brand new Port not yet in the market place here in the US. It will be replacing the Noval "LB" Reserve Ruby Port currently in the marketplace. I'll copy the press release below, but yesterday I had the first tastes of this from a bottle I received to evaluate. Pretty impressive so far.

I've also opened a bottle of the "LB" so I can do a side-by-side comparison of them. Pretty interesting results...even from a few friends that were over last night and got to compare them side-by-side, and these are not wine drinking friends unless I serve them wine.

In another day or two, when I'm done with my evaluation, I'll post my final TN's on them.

QUINTA DO NOVAL LAUNCHES PORT WITH A NEW VISION


Quinta do Noval, one of the world’s legendary wine estates, is proud to announce the release of NOVAL BLACK.


Christian Seely of Quinta do Noval explains: "I have always wanted to make a Port wine that would be a clear expression of the Noval style, easily accessible as a wine that could be poured by the glass, no aging and no decanting necessary. No complications, just a great glass of Port.”

Over the past 15 years, Quinta do Noval has undertaken a huge program of replanting its historic vineyard, all with the noble varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, and others. The result of this work has been coming on stream for the past few years, providing a wealth of superb fruit to choose from each harvest. This fruit is the foundation for Quinta do Noval’s legendary vintage Ports, and in non-declared years will enable it to produce this fresh, fruit-driven premium Port.

This new style of Port will appeal to traditional Port drinkers, but will also attract both first-time Port drinkers and a younger generation of consumers. It is a pure indulgence, enjoyable in any number of ways ”“ on its own at any time, chilled before dinner, or as an extravagance with a piece of chocolate.

With its eye-catching packaging, modern yet elegant, NOVAL BLACK presents a new vision of Port while embodying the quality and tradition of the wines from Quinta do Noval. The name and bottle evoke the color of the intensely concentrated grapes, bursting with flavors of juicy red fruits and sweet spice that endow this Port wine with its seductive personality.

Michael Quinttus of VINTUS, Quinta do Noval’s US Importer, says: ‟The quality, style and packaging of Noval BLACK are a true innovation in the world of Port. We expect to see Noval BLACK reach accounts and consumers previously neglected by the category.”

From NOVAL BLACK’s tremendous aromatics you can sense something of the wildness of the Douro Valley, and the sheer elegance of its grapes. Watch out in the months to come for more news on NOVAL BLACK!

SRP: $22.

[KillerB]

Thanks for the update Andy. I look forward to seeing on the Supermarket shelves (that's where it should be) and giving it a taste.

[Andy Velebil]

I should have added this is for the USA only right now, but I do think it will eventually be in other markets with time. I just don't know exactly where or when that will be.

The photo doesn't really do the bottle justice. It is a very cool bottle design when you actually see it in person. IMO much better than the LB's label. The top part looks like its modeled after an old VP bottle, with the flared neck and lower ring, and the labeling is very striking. This afternoon I'll post my TN on it.

[RonnieRoots]

It's been years since I drank it but I remember that I used to like the LB quite a bit. Did Noval give a reason for pulling the plug on this brand?

Some years ago they also launched another special ruby called 'The Raven", but I don't believe that's carried anymore either.

'Black' looks very stylish, I hope it tastes good as well!

[Andy Velebil]

It's been years since I drank it but I remember that I used to like the LB quite a bit. Did Noval give a reason for pulling the plug on this brand?

Some years ago they also launched another special ruby called 'The Raven", but I don't believe that's carried anymore either.

'Black' looks very stylish, I hope it tastes good as well!

I don't know the reason why LB is being replaced, so I won't speculate. I too remember the Raven, and as far as I know that line has been discontinued.

The bottle really is very stylish and the pictures don't do it justice. I hope you get to try it sometime soon. It is now among my short list of favorite Reserve Ruby Ports. My TN is the next post

[Andy Velebil]

NV Noval Black Reserve Ruby Port

This is darker in color than most Ports of this type and it put on even more color by the second day after opening. Initially some tanky notes were noticeable on the nose, but those were gone by day 2 and 3, leaving the deep rich blackberries and some stoniness to shine. When I finally took a sip of this I was struck by three things immediately; it was medium-full bodied, full of dense fruit, and had massive tannins. On the palate the blueberries, black cherries, and pepper held up well to the chewy tannins. By day 3 the tannins had started to mellow, the pepper spice became more pronounced, and some chocolate showed up on the finish. Day 3 was when this really seemed to come together perfectly, with everything nicely balanced. This drinks more like a well made LBV than a Reserve Ruby. I also tasted this side by side over three days with the Noval "LB", which its replacing in the US. The "Black" is a big step above the "LB" in quality. This is now among my short list of favorite Reserve Ruby Ports.
91 points

[JacobH]

Do they sell Dow’s Midnight Port in the US? There seems to be more than a passing similarity between the concept and the packaging:

230201877.jpeg (6.56 KiB) Viewed 4642 times

[Andy Velebil]

I don't recall ever seeing the Dow's Midnight in the US, so I don't think so. But I very well could be wrong.

[Andy Velebil]

As an experiment I also served this to several friends who were over at my house the other night (Saturday). They tried the Noval Black and Noval "LB" side by side. These friends are not wine drinkers unless I serve it to them, so they are always up front and very honest with their thoughts on what they like and don't when I serve them wines and Ports. I only information I told them was both bottles were the same class (Reserve Ruby Port). Other than small bit of info I told them nothing else and as far as I know none of them have ever had the "LB" before, or any other Noval Port for that matter.

They all loved the Black and thought it was a much better Port than the LB. Most comments from them were the Black had better fruit and the "LB" was hotter and "more alcoholic." They all stated that if they ever needed to buy a Port, they would easily choose the Black over the LB. One even called me the next day to ask if he could come over and have more Black! That's pretty darn good since he's only done that once before when I gave him an old VP to try.

After they had tasted them both and said their piece, I asked them what they though about the bottle designs of both. I'll spare the comments about the LB bottle, but suffice it to say they loved the design of the Black far better.

So it seems the Black even appeals to novice wine drinkers

[DRT]

When is "The Black" due to be released in the UK? I NEED some.