Vintus

The recently declared Quinta do Noval 2011 Nacional was given an astonishing 100 point score by James Suckling! Suckling’s tasting notes were as follows, “This is an amazing young Port: deep and powerful, subtle and refined. Full body, lightly sweet with big chewy tannins that are polished and sexy. Amazingly well-crafted. Lasts for minutes on the finish. Fantastic. The legend lives. Could be better than the perfect 1994 and equal to to the 1963. 220 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine from ungrafted vines.”

On May 15, 2013 Christian Seely devoted his blog to the official declaration by Quinta do Noval for their Vintage Port 2011 and Nacional 2011. Not only is this the first generally declared vintage in 4 years, but the first Nacional declaration since 2003, 8 years ago. The Institute of Masters of Wine organized a tasting in London of all the declared 2011 Vintage ports, “which confirmed we have a great Vintage on our hands”, said Seely. After finalizing the  blends, Christian and António Agrellos took some great photos in the tasting rooom. He says “It is always a great moment when you know you have an outstanding Port wine that you can declare as a Vintage Port, and at Noval  it is a rare and exciting event to be able to declare the Nacional as well.” Click here to read his full blog post and to see the rest of his pictures from the tasting room.

Quinta do Noval has just formally declared the 2011 vintage for both Quinta do Noval and Noval Nacional!  In order to bring more attention to the 2011 vintage, Quinta do Noval and the Fladgate partnernship have partnered together to hold three tastings in early June. Save the Date!  Click the invite to download it.

Bernard’s Bar at the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, Il, celebrated President’s Day with a cocktail featuring Noval BLACK! The cocktail, named, “Betsy Ross,” is part Noval Black, Courvoisier, Combier & some Orange Juice. Bernard’s has shared the cocktail on Twitter – click here to see the feed!

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Jake Shimon, Mixologist at La Piazza in Melville, NY,  just created a new Noval BLACK cocktail recipe called “Black Magic”! The magical drink can be recreated using the following ingredients…

1 1/2 ozs. Noval Black

3/4 oz. Cognac

1/2 oz. Fresh lime juice

1/2 oz. Perfect Pure’e of Napa Valley strawberry pure’e

Shaken, single strain over fresh ice, served on the rocks in Collins glass,  topped with Sprite and garnished with lime.

"Black Magic"

As reported on Ohio.com, Anthony Mandala, beverage manager for The Office Bistro in Akron, Ohio, will be mixing up a special cocktail for customers on Valentine’s Day featuring Noval BLACK. Called “Chocolate Covered Cherry,” Mandala’s original creation is made up of Noval Black Port, Grand Marnier Cherry Liquor, house made vanilla syrup and Fee Brothers Chocolate Bitters. For garnish: dark chocolate covered cherry wedges and flower petals. Click here to read the article!

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY: 1½ oz. Noval BLACK port wine 1 oz. black cherry liqueur Splash of vanilla simple syrup (see note) Dash (3 drops) of chocolate bitters Ice Chocolate covered cherry candy, for garnish Flower petals, for garnish

The La Crosse Tribune, a regional newspaper based in Wisconsin, names  ’Wine of the Week’ was Quinta do Noval’s BLACK their  ’Wine of the Week’ .  ”Bitterly cold winter nights are a perfect time to gather around a fireplace and sip port” write Chris and Sherrie Hardie. The Hardie’s give Noval BLACK 3 and 3 1/2 stars. To read the full article click here.

Wine Spectator’s managing editor and lead taster on the wines of Portugal, Kim Marcus, writes a great piece highlighting Port. Marcus writes about the Quinta do Noval tasting that took place in New York last fall, which focused on “the most storied and rare of Ports: Quinta do Noval Nacional”. He  gives the details on the grapes that go into the Nacional and how the wine is made. “The results can be profound” says Marcus. “The oldest wine of the tasting,the 1963, was stunningly fresh and lively, with  well-integrated saline and iron notes, and very velvety. I gave it a score of 98 points, non-blind.” To read the full piece click here.