2011 Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Port review and tasting notes
The 2011 Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Port is an intense and tasty sweet wine, rich in flavors and structured, where the explosive fruit takes the lion’s share.
It is not a wine that, in theory, should undergo extreme aging. On the contrary, the vigor of youth gives it an irresistible boost, which combined with vigorous tannins and good sweetness, manages to envelop the palate with grace and without ever tiring.
However, the very artisanal method, the excellent vintage, and the must-have density made this simple ruby a real bomb ready to challenge the years.
Just think that despite being a Porto LBV that has aged for four years in wooden barrels, we have found thick sediment in the bottle. Nothing serious, of course. Just pour it slowly and you certainly don’t need a hipster decanter.
It is no coincidence that you will find the word unfiltered on the label, attention that has allowed the wine to maintain structure and determination.
The fact, however, is explanatory and makes you understand how tannic and dense the wine was when it was bottled. And we are talking about a young vintage, 2011, so certainly not a 40-year-old Porto Crusted. Let us remember that all Porto LBV are born from Ruby of sound, but not excellent, quality that with four of aging in wood find softness and balance. They are born ready to be drunk.
How 2011 Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Port is made?
But the beauty of this wine is the extreme care with which it was produced. The grapes were of excellent quality. As always, when it comes to the Quinta Do Noval winery, everything is done by hand. Harvest and pressing done with the feet and then the rest in the ancient stone tanks, sedimentation, and rest in large wooden barrels for four years. The blend is a “great house classic”: 40% of Touriga Nacional, 30% of Touriga Franca and the rest Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão.
Organoleptic characteristics of the 2011 Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Port
Maybe we were too enthusiastic, you don’t have to think of a masterpiece, but don’t expect the usually quiet and pleasant drink. For 25 euros, you will not find Port wines to tear your clothes off, but this is certainly worth a lot more.
The color is intense and sparkling ruby. The bouquet is dark, fleshy and sensual with notes of plums, dates, caramelized oranges to which sweet spices counterbalance. Cinnamon and vanilla, still cherries drowned in cocoa and herbaceous returns in the finish. The tone is sumptuous, not aiming at the small detail, but striking you with strength and generosity.
On the palate, it is articulated just enough to flow smoothly. It has sweetness and character, refined tannins that boost the sip. Phrasing between sweetness and excellent tannins. Exuberant, but tame. It could still age in the cellar for 3-4 years.
It is not a perfect wine, it is not a milestone, but it is a bottle to try to understand how good a simple Port wine can be if done with art. If this were the average quality of Porto LBV, it would be a dream. Not many wineries work so well and seriously to make products that are not really entry-level, but let’s say not top-of-the-line. Quality starts from below and we have plenty of it here.
Price
25 euros: amazing value here, baby!