Quinta do Noval - Quinta do Noval Tinto, Douro DOC

Quinta do Noval Tinto, Douro DOC

Since the day he arrived in the Douro, Christian Seely, director of Quinta do Noval, knew that the Douro valley is one of the great vineyard terroirs of the world, and had incredible potential for unfortified wines. “We are just at the beginning,” says Seely. “I told my staff when I first started here that we have to aspire to Châteaus Latour, Mouton, Margaux.”

After a period of ten years spent studying how the Noval vineyards might best produce a dry red wine, Noval released its first vintage, 2004, to rave reviews. “The inaugural, 2004 vintage release hit on all cylinders,” says Kim Marcus of Wine Spectator. “Christian Seely has successfully overseen the renovation of the famed Quinta do Noval Port estate…and is now managing the latest chapter in Noval’s fascinating history: table wines.”
 
Both wines made at the estate are from specially selected parcels of new and mature vines around the spectacular estate, and blended from four classic port varities: Touriga Nacional, Tintao Cão, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. True to its long history of continuous innovation, Noval has also been among the first to experiment with Rhone varieties in the Douro, with Syrah from estate plantings being blended into the Cedro do Noval.
 

  • 2004 Vintage

    Quinta do Noval Tinto is a lusciously big wine that will however greatly benefit with aging (and aeration). It is pumped over in stainless steel vats, and aged in 100% French oak. 

    • “Very suave. Peppery at first, then fills the mouth with ripe, rich red plum, cherry and raspberry flavors, with seductive dark chocolate and hints of truffle. Has plenty of licorice notes, with silky tannins that carry the flavors through the long finish. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão and Touriga Franca. Drink now through 2014.” 93 Points Wine Spectator

    • “The 2004 Tinto is a blend of Touriga Nacional (70%), Tinto Cao (20%), and Touriga Franca (10%) raised exclusively in French oak. This has grip, concentration and a level of intensity that the Cedro does not. It coats the palate more. It shows a fair bit of oak at the moment, most of which should integrate nicely with age. Its mid-palate is still fairly elegant in weight, and it presents a relatively smooth, velvety feel, until the structural components rear their heads. The Touriga Nacional flavors asserts themselves with air, too.” 93 Points Wine Advocate