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Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2011: best 2041 to 2091.
vintage30 yrs80 yrs82 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2013 | 2011 | 100/100 |
| Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) reviewed 1997 | 1994 | 99/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Aged Stilton
Only the greatest blue cheese matches its intensity. -
Dark chocolate truffle
Cocoa against profound black fruit. -
Sipped alone
A meditation wine to be contemplated on its own.
How to serve Quinta do Noval Nacional
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Port glass or small Bordeaux glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Aged Stilton, Dark chocolate truffle, Sipped alone. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Nacional comes from roughly two hectares of ungrafted vines on their own roots within the Noval estate, surviving phylloxera; declared only in the finest vintages, it is among the most sought-after Ports ever made.
- 1931: Legendary 1931 Nacional vintage, a benchmark of the 20th century
- 1963: 1963 Nacional cements its mythic status
Facts
- Producer
- Quinta do Noval · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Sousao
- Classification
- DOC Porto
- Oak
- Foot-trodden in lagares, aged in vat then long bottle maturation
- ABV
- 20.0%
- Price
- EUR 1500 to 6000 at release
- Drinking window
- 30 to 80 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1931
Frequently asked about Quinta do Noval Nacional
What does Quinta do Noval Nacional taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. One of the rarest and most legendary wines in the world, from a tiny block of ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines, declared only in exceptional years and capable of ageing for generations.
When should I drink Quinta do Noval Nacional?
Drink 30 to 80 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Quinta do Noval Nacional?
Aged Stilton is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Dark chocolate truffle and Sipped alone. Only the greatest blue cheese matches its intensity.
What grapes are in Quinta do Noval Nacional?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Sousao. The wine is classified as DOC Porto.
Tags
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