Quinta do Noval Nacional
Quinta do Noval Nacional is the prestige port of Quinta do Noval.
Quinta do Noval also has a small vineyard around the house - spared from the ravages of phylloxera in the last century - growing the precious ungrafted vines that produce the legendary Nacional Port which is ruthlessly sought out by, and highly revered by the true Port cognoscenti, commands stratospheric prices. (As the Rolls Royce salesman said to the buyer: 'If you need to ask the price you cannot afford it sir!'). Nacional has been produced at least since 1931. The grapes comprise Tinta Francisca, Touriga Nacional and Souzao.
| Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintages: | 1931, 1934, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
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Vintage Port tasting notes:
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1931 |
| Colour | Dark but with mature yellow colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Complex and enormous nose of crème caramel, toffee, coffee, cacao and much more. | Score range | 20.00 - 20.00 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Quite mature but will keep for long. Complex and balanced port with a never ending marvellous finish. Unbelievable. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 19th October 2000 | Point this date | 20.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
This bottle belongs to Anders G. Åkesson’s collection.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1950 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Chocolate, coffee and burned sugar in the nose. | Score range | 17.50 - 17.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied and mature. Very elegant and complex with a plumy sweet flavour. At its peak or even a bit over but what a port with a wonderful and complex finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 23rd May 1995 | Point this date | 17.50 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1955 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Wonderful nose of toffee, crème caramel, coffee and cacao | Score range | 15.50 - 18.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking. Complex and lovely port with a wonderful and never ending finish. I do love it. | Average score | 17.47 |
| Last tasted | 10th July 1998 | Point this date | 18.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% trip to Douro, Portugal.
This bottle belongs to Anders G. Åkesson’s collection.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1958 |
| Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Elegant but a bit alcoholic and pharmacy in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and a bit old in flavour but complex and certain elegant. Long and quite nice finish. | Average score | 16.00 |
| Last tasted | 12th March 1998 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1960 |
| Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Complex pharmacy and old hospital in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Sweet and mature. Peaking with a lovely and quite complex finish. Quite good. | Average score | 16.33 |
| Last tasted | 12th March 1998 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1962 |
| Colour | Still very dark blue in colour with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 6 |
| Bouquet | Complex nose of crème caramel, viol, toffee, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 17.90 - 19.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Perfect mature and on top. Sweet, generous, balanced and complex. Cacao, toffee and coffee in flavour. What a lovely finish. Unbelievable! | Average score | 18.74 |
| Last tasted | 23rd November 2013 | Point this date | 19.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1963 |
| Colour | Beautiful, still quite dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Dark berry, tobacco, violet coffee, cacao and much more in the nose. | Score range | 17.50 - 20.00 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Still fruit and tannins but wonderfully balanced. Rather mature but will develop more. Balanced and complex. Marvellous finish. Can port be better? | Average score | 19.09 |
| Last tasted | 23rd November 2013 | Point this date | 20.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2005 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings.
In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1964 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Lovely crème caramel, toffee, cinnamon and ginger in the nose. | Score range | 17.00 - 17.75 |
| Taste | Quite full- bodied. Mature and peaking but still with soft tannin and will probably be better. Sweet. Very complex and balanced port with a wonderful finish. Much better than I believed. | Average score | 17.42 |
| Last tasted | 16th August 2013 | Point this date | 17.40 |
| Comment | At home with the family and a wine friend.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1966 |
| Colour | Dark blue with yellow mature colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Ginger bread and cinnamon in the nose. Quite complex. | Score range | 16.90 - 18.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Quite mature but long way left. Complex and balanced. Lovely long finish. Very elegant indeed. | Average score | 17.55 |
| Last tasted | 21st September 2006 | Point this date | 16.90 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection.
In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1967 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Lovely nose of toffee, crème caramel, coffee and cacao. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Elegant and balanced and still some way to go. Very complex and lovely port with an unbelievable finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 12th March 1998 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1968 |
| Colour | Beautiful mature, yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, dark chocolate, cream candy, figs, bitter almond, anise and cardamom in the nose | Score range | 17.50 - 17.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking and will not be better. Balanced, complex and quite attractive and sweet. Dark chocolate, bitter almond, some cacao, anise and cardamom in taste. Very tasty indeed with a long and quite attractive finish. Very easy to drink and enjoy and quite remarkable for the vintage year | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 25th December 2018 | Point this date | 17.50 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1970 |
| Colour | Beautiful mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 5 |
| Bouquet | Pharmacy, crème caramel, coffee, cacao, violet and much more. Very complex nose. | Score range | 17.25 - 19.00 |
| Taste | Full-bodied port. Nearly peaking, balanced and very complex with a marvellous and never ending finish. Wonderful indeed. | Average score | 17.85 |
| Last tasted | 15th December 2011 | Point this date | 18.25 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection.
In 2008 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1975 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Coffee, tea, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature and elegant. At its peak. Complex and balanced. A long lovely finish. Quite astonishing. | Average score | 16.75 |
| Last tasted | 16th March 2006 | Point this date | 17.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Cinnamon, ginger, cacao, dark chocolate, some herbs, spiciness and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Mature and probably at its peak but with some soft and elegant tannins. Sweet. Cacao, dark chocolate, herbs and spiciness in flavour. Quite elegant, rather attractive and with a quite long finish. | Average score | 16.35 |
| Last tasted | 25th October 2023 | Point this date | 16.90 |
| Comment | Tasted in our Private Wine Club.
In 2012 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1979 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Wonderful nose of coffee, tea and cacao. | Score range | 16.75 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Surprisingly full-bodied. Still some fruit and tannins. Complex and balanced finish. Very good indeed. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 23rd May 1995 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 Jubilee Tasting number 100th in Copenhagen, Denmark where 6 different Nacional were enjoyed.
| Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1980 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Herbs, fudge, cinnamon and spring flower in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Quite full- bodied. Mature and peaking. Balanced and elegant with herbs and cinnamon in taste. Very complex port and a wonderful, attractive and long finish. | Average score | 16.50 |
| Last tasted | 3rd April 2014 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1982 |
| Colour | Beautiful mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, toffee, cacao, toffee and vanilla in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.40 |
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Quite mature but still with some soft tannin. Will keep for long. Fudge and vanilla in taste. Complex and balanced port with a lovely, long and attractive finish. | Average score | 16.76 |
| Last tasted | 20th November 2014 | Point this date | 16.90 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection.
In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1983 |
| Colour | Lovely, yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, cardamom, candy, cream candy, ginger, toffee and some spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 15.00 - 16.90 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Will not be much better but will keep quite a while. Balanced and rather attractive and elegant. Quite tasty with crème caramel, ginger, cardamom, candy and spiciness in the mouth and with a quite long and sweet finish. | Average score | 15.95 |
| Last tasted | 25th December 2018 | Point this date | 16.90 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1984 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but mature yellow colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, fudge, some oak, dark berry, black cherry, cream candy and some coffee and tea in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.90 |
| Taste | Quite full- bodied. Mature and probably peaking even if some soft tannin can be revealed. Elegant and balanced with a nice, long, attractive finish but not up to Nacional normal standard. | Average score | 15.83 |
| Last tasted | 19th February 2015 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Semi- Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2015 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1985 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, crème caramel, coffee, cacao, butterscotch and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.90 - 17.50 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Almost mature and peaking. Balanced and quite elegant with toffee, crème caramel cacao and butterscotch in taste, Lovely, seductive and long finish. | Average score | 17.20 |
| Last tasted | 19th September 2020 | Point this date | 16.90 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
In 2020 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1986 |
| Colour | Dark blue with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, coffee, cacao. Generous nose indeed. | Score range | 16.75 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Still a bit immature and some soft tannins but very balanced and elegant. Complex port with a wonderful finish. Astonishing port. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 24th January 2008 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1987 |
| Colour | Rather yellow mature in colour | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, milk chocolate, cream cady, herbs and tropical fruits in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature and almost peaking but with some round and attractive tannins and will improve. Balanced, quite tasty and elegant with a quite complex, very elegant and a quite long and lovely finish | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 17th November 2022 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2022 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Black pepper, coffee and cacao in the nose. | Score range | 16.75 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Immature and loaded with fruit. Full of tannins and hard to swallow. Wonderful, complex and long finish. Will be marvellous we believe. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 17th January 2002 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 2001 |
| Colour | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Juicy, dark berry and much more in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Lots of tannins and immature. Hard to swallow. Loaded with berry and fruit. Enormous finish. Will be great! | | |
| Last tasted | 15th September 2004 | Rating this date | Very impressive indeed. |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 trip in Douro, Portugal.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 2016 |
| Colour | Completely dark in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Dark berry such as mulberry, blackberry, blue berry, dark cherry and lots of fruit in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Loaded with tannin but of course balanced and very complex. Lovely taste of dark berry, mulberry, blackberry, blue berry, dark cherry and many fruits. The finish is very long, attractive and loaded with tannin. What an exciting port! | | |
| Last tasted | 30th November 2018 | Rating this date | Very impressive indeed. |
| Comment | At the Quinta do Noval’s Masterclass Tasting in Leverkusen, Germany.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 2017 |
| Colour | Almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Dark berry such as mulberries, black berries, blue berries, dark cherries but also cacao, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and roasted nuts in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Loaded with lovely tannins but of course balanced and very complex. Wonderful in the mouth with taste of dark berries such as mulberry, black berry, blue berry, dark cherry. It is ended with a delicate and extraordinary long and attractive finish which never seems to end. It will keep for decades! | | |
| Last tasted | 29th November 2019 | Rating this date | Very impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 2019 |
| Colour | Almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Dark berry such as mulberries, black berries, blue berries and some mint in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Loaded with lovely tannins. Balanced and very complex. Dark berries. Long lovely finish. | | |
| Last tasted | 26th November 2021 | Rating this date | Very impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 2021 |
| Colour | Almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Cherry, dark berry such as mulberries, black berries, blue berries and some mint in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Loaded with lovely tannins. Balanced and very complex. Quite dry. Dark berries. Long lovely finish. | | |
| Last tasted | 24th November 2023 | Rating this date | Very impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Portweinmesse in Leverkusen, Germany.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | JB |