1997 Quinta do Noval Nacional
Posted: 19:30 Thu 06 Jul 2023
Drunk at dinner at Noval on the first night of our two night stay.
Second dinner Port, served blind. Early maturity in colour, red with little bricking. Lovely sweet raspberry fruit nose, fresh and vivacious. Silk velvet texture on the palate, generous fruit with an edge of dark chocolate giving some fine-grained tannins. The acidity is perfect, highlighting the complexity of the fruit on the palate. Multiple phases on the aftertaste and finish; delicious raspberry and bramble fruit, rose hips and red liquorice. Wonderful stuff! Served blind, guessed to be Noval 2000.
The tannins in the wine only started to emerge two hours after the tasting note was written. 95/100. Drunk 20-Jun-23. Decanted 4½ hours.
Second dinner Port, served blind. Early maturity in colour, red with little bricking. Lovely sweet raspberry fruit nose, fresh and vivacious. Silk velvet texture on the palate, generous fruit with an edge of dark chocolate giving some fine-grained tannins. The acidity is perfect, highlighting the complexity of the fruit on the palate. Multiple phases on the aftertaste and finish; delicious raspberry and bramble fruit, rose hips and red liquorice. Wonderful stuff! Served blind, guessed to be Noval 2000.
The tannins in the wine only started to emerge two hours after the tasting note was written. 95/100. Drunk 20-Jun-23. Decanted 4½ hours.