Quinta do Noval Nacional, 2000 Vintage Port
'Nacional' Vintage Port, Douro
95 Points Vinous
Bottle size: 75cl
ABV: 20%
Price:
$1,293.01 USD
Description
Quinta do Noval Nacional is a Vintage Port produced only in selected years from a small area at the heart of the Quinta do Noval vineyard planted with ungrafted vines and untouched by phylloxera. 2000 was a widely declared vintage and produced wines of immense concentration. Though not as flamboyant as the similarly warm 2003 vintage, this has excellent staying power and should continue to improve over time.
Learn more about Quinta do Noval
Condition
Excellent
Reviews
VINOUS95+
Bright medium ruby. Utterly primary aromas of black cherry, licorice and violet are lifted by an impression of almost peppery acidity. Sharply delineated and extremely pure; less thick today than the young 2003 but then this is an infant and superbly balanced for decades of evolution in bottle. Finishes with a high pitch, the tannins spreading out to coat the teeth and the dark fruit flavors reverberating. Far from the richest vintage of the vertical tasting, but this beauty can safely be lost in your cellar for a couple decades. A splendid achievement in the context of the vintage. [Stephen Tanzer, 11/01/2012]
The Nacional 2000 is cut from a similar cloth to the Noval Vintage, and judging them side by side, there is a very similar fruit profile, but perhaps a little more delineation. The palate is pure class: sumptuous ripe black fruit, a wonderful thread of acidity, real structure and focus with a precise, elegant and penetrating finish. It mellows wonderfully in the glass, but never quite achieves the pulsating intensity of the Vintage Noval. This is a sublime Nacional, yet there is something that seems to cap its potential. This is a fine Port, but a mild disappointment considering the vintage and class. Drink now-2030. Tasted January 2014. Neail MArtin ERobert PArker