2014 Quinta do Noval Late Botteled Vintage Port Unfiltered

This Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Unfiltered Port is a remarkable example of the Quinta do Noval style. Produced with only noble grape varieties from the Quinta, trodden by foot and not filtered. Aging took place for four, sometimes five years in wooden barrels, instead of the two years usual for vintage port.

The perfect picking conditions during the 2014 harvest resulted in this beautiful, pure port with a complexity of aroma and taste combined with firm, well-integrated tannins. The fruit tastes very fresh with a nice acidity. Intense and elegant aroma. This port can be drunk very young, but it also ages very nicely in the bottle.

Port is a special wine in every way. The method of preparation is absolutely unique. The fermentation of the grapes only lasts until there is enough unfermented sugar for the taste. Then wine alcohol is added to a level of about 20 degrees. The fermentation stops abruptly, the young port wine is born. It is the same with port as for example with Bordeaux wine; there are simple basic wines and there are “Grands Crus”. The port house Quinta do Noval is such a Grand Cru on the Douro and Pinhão rivers, where the soil consists of slate and granite.

This port tastes great with dark chocolate, a dessert with dark fruit or soft cheeses. Also nice to enjoy at the end of a dinner.