CH’NG Poh Tiong
Quinta do Noval has declared Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 2020 and Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2020.
“2020 was a hot and dry year, with a prolonged ripening period throughout the summer that led to an early harvest, as the grapes became fully ripe by early September.” Christian Seely, Managing Director of AXA Millesimes commented.
“Harvest was very short, from the beginning to the 22 September, which is most unusual for Noval where normally the diversity of varieties, exposures and altitudes results in picking times ranging over a longer period. We chose to allow slightly higher residual sugars than usual this year, and the result is a harmony and richness that is quite particular to this wonderful year at Quinta do Noval. ” Seely added.
Christian Seely is Managing Director of French-owned AXA Millesimes, the wine property arm of insurance giant AXA Assurances, one of the most important fine wine groups in the world. Seely oversees all the group’s properties including Quinta do Noval, Chateau Pichon Baron, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau Petit-Village, Chateau Pibran, Domaine de l’Arlot Nuits, Disznoko and Outpost
Of the 143 hectares of vineyard, two have never been affected by phylloxera. Why that is so, no one really knows. Seely may not be a technical person but he has tried to unravel the mystery by replanting cuttings from the plot to other parts of the remaining 141 hectares of vines. It hasn‘t work though. Like a poet who knows better than to challenge the divine. It is no accident that the name of this single 2 ha parcel reflects all that is dearest and most precious to vinous Portugal. NACIONAL.
The Nacional is a unique and extraordinary phenomenon. It does not necessarily follow the same rhythm as the rest of the Quinta do Noval. In some years a great Nacional is produced when Noval does not even declare the Quinta do Noval Vintage. In others, Quinta do Noval makes a great Vintage Port, and the Nacional does not perform.
Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage 2020
It is produced using Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. These are some of the noblest grape varieties found in the Douro valley. Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 2020 is aged for 18 months in oak and chestnut wood vats.
“We were aware from the beginning that the Nacional was outstanding, and the wine has developed wonderfully since the harvest. There are years when we know straight after the treading in lagar that we will be declaring a Nacional Vintage Port, and 2020 was one of these. The wine displays the complexity and many layered profundity that are typical of a great Nacional.” Seely said.
Quinta do Noval Vintage 2020
Quinta do Noval made a strict selection of the best lots of wine from different parcels throughout the estate, with this year three different lots of wine from the Pinhão Valley and one from the Roncão valley making up the blend. It is produced using Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Sousão, Tinta Roriz. It is matured for 18 months in wooden casks in the air-conditioned cellars of the Quinta, at the demarcated region of the Douro Valley before bottling. Quinta do Noval Vintage 2020 is extremely rich and powerful, voluminous, sensual, with great density. Tannic structure is immense, but with remarkable finesse.
