Description

One of the most celebrated producers in Oporto. Their top wines are great, expensive and hard to come by. Thankfully, their entry level stuff is pretty smart too. They are famous for pioneering the ‘late bottled’ style Ports which are so famous in the current climate. Noval are also able to brag that all of their products are single ‘Quinta’ or vineyard which they have strict control over. To this day the grapes are hand picked and foot crushed. Aside from their outstanding Ports, Noval also make wonderful table wines from the native grapes of the region.

This is the same fruit and wine that became the famous Vintage Port 2000. A portion of it was kept in barrel until 2013 and released as a Colheita. The extra barrel aging has soften out the tannin and alcohol profiles but it has not spent so long in barrel that the pristine fruit profile has faded. One to enjoy with some pretty bitey cheeses, nuts and dried fruits. There is no need to age this any further.

Port – Port is a style of wine but also the name of the region that sits on the terraced hills  that over look the River Douro. They are most famous for the barrel aged red grape based fortified wines that can be aged for 50 years depending on style. The grapes used are the native Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo). White Port is also seen around but not lauded like the Red styles and don’t age. The Douro is capable of making some stylish and modern reds and whites too.

Colheita Tawny – A vintage dated Tawny. It may be purpose made or a selection that was headed for a Vintage Port blend that is kept in barrel from longer. Some Colheita Tawnys are aged for 20 years in barrel before release. They do not require further aging in bottle to be drinkable.

Port Varieties – Touriga Nacional is the most desirable for quality Port but proves difficult to grow and offers small yields. That means Touriga Franca is the greatest plantings and can be seen as the Cabernet Franc compared to Nacionals Cabernet Sauvignon. Tinta Barroca can withstand the cool conditions on the North facing slopes, Tinta Cão offers finesse and complexity and Tinta Roriz aka Tempranillo offers its own perfume and charm.