Quinta do Noval Nacional 2017

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Tasting Notes
The 2017 Naçional has an ethereal bouquet that takes time to unfold but delivers the same dazzling complexity as the last time I tasted it. Black fruit, graphite and pressed flower, perhaps a little more compact than you would expect, so perchance it is just closing down a tad. Excellent cohesion on the palate, spicy and peppery, a crescendo of flavours leading towards its bravura finish. The 2017 delivers, but it's a Port not for the faint-hearted. This is the "Wagner of Quinta do Noval"! Score: 99 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2033-2100 01 June 2022
The 2017 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in at 99 grams of residual sugar and was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in wooden vats. In 2016, I might've made an argument that the regular Noval was better. In this vintage, this seems to be a clear choice, granting that Ports change constantly in their youth. Its siblings at all levels in the last few vintages are very fine, but this is an indisputable benchmark that seems to better them all. Rich and vibrant, this has plenty of stuffing and flavor, more than the regular Noval. Then, it adds layer after layer of power. A couple of hours of air makes both the flavors and tannins more intense. It is simply gripping—yet also remarkably fresh. It's a great Noval, and one of the shortlist candidates for "Wine of the Vintage." There were 200 cases produced. Score: 100 Mark Squires, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2035-2085 11 July 2019
Ungrafted vines. Same winemaking as for the straight Quinta do Noval. TA 4.68 g/l, RS 99 g/l, pH 3.51. Black core with wide purple rim. Less exuberant than the Noval at the moment, less sweet-smelling and scented but it has immediate elegance and purity, almost subtle in this context. Opening up to bergamot and tea leaf. So concentrated it is all tight and closed up even though you can see it is rich and packed with fine black fruit. Spicy, tangy and mouth-watering. Outstanding length and promise. Score: 19 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2037-2070 04 June 2019
Such fine tannins and it goes on and on and on. Full-bodied, compact and very fine. Sweet plums and old-vine, bark character. Lasts for minutes. Feels dry. Score: 99 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 06 May 2019
This features dense black currant, fig and plum paste flavors that flow slowly but steadily while warm earth, baker's chocolate, tar and singed mesquite accents course underneath. The finish is riveted by graphite bolts as the fruit builds and fans out, with the structure working in unison all the way. Like a Richard Serra sculpture, this is massive yet clearly defined. A stunning wine. Score: 99 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2035-2070 01 January 2019

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Naçional has an ethereal bouquet that takes time to unfold but delivers the same dazzling complexity as the last time I tasted it. Black fruit, graphite and pressed flower, perhaps a little more compact than you would expect, so perchance it is just closing down a tad. Excellent cohesion on the palate, spicy and peppery, a crescendo of flavours leading towards its bravura finish. The 2017 delivers, but it's a Port not for the faint-hearted. This is the "Wagner of Quinta do Noval"!

Score: 99

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2033-2100 01 June 2022

The 2017 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in at 99 grams of residual sugar and was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in wooden vats. In 2016, I might've made an argument that the regular Noval was better. In this vintage, this seems to be a clear choice, granting that Ports change constantly in their youth. Its siblings at all levels in the last few vintages are very fine, but this is an indisputable benchmark that seems to better them all. Rich and vibrant, this has plenty of stuffing and flavor, more than the regular Noval. Then, it adds layer after layer of power. A couple of hours of air makes both the flavors and tannins more intense. It is simply gripping—yet also remarkably fresh. It's a great Noval, and one of the shortlist candidates for "Wine of the Vintage." There were 200 cases produced.

Score: 100

Mark Squires, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2035-2085 11 July 2019

Ungrafted vines. Same winemaking as for the straight Quinta do Noval. TA 4.68 g/l, RS 99 g/l, pH 3.51. Black core with wide purple rim. Less exuberant than the Noval at the moment, less sweet-smelling and scented but it has immediate elegance and purity, almost subtle in this context. Opening up to bergamot and tea leaf. So concentrated it is all tight and closed up even though you can see it is rich and packed with fine black fruit. Spicy, tangy and mouth-watering. Outstanding length and promise.

Score: 19

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2037-2070 04 June 2019

Such fine tannins and it goes on and on and on. Full-bodied, compact and very fine. Sweet plums and old-vine, bark character. Lasts for minutes. Feels dry.

Score: 99

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 06 May 2019

This features dense black currant, fig and plum paste flavors that flow slowly but steadily while warm earth, baker's chocolate, tar and singed mesquite accents course underneath. The finish is riveted by graphite bolts as the fruit builds and fans out, with the structure working in unison all the way. Like a Richard Serra sculpture, this is massive yet clearly defined. A stunning wine.

Score: 99

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2035-2070 01 January 2019

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