x
  • Country ranking ?

    1
  • Producer ranking ?

    1
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    now
  • Food Pairing

    Enjoy without food

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

QUINTA DO NOVAL NACIONAL

No other vintage port attracts more attention than Quinta do Noval’s Nacional and its collectability can be partly attributed to its tiny production. Only 200 - 300 cases are produced in a declared year. This represents a tiny percentage of Quinta do Noval’s production of vintage port (between 1,200 and 5,000 cases in each declared year). Nacional’s two and a half hectares of ungrafted vines are almost indistinguishable amongst the estate’s spectacular amphitheatre of immaculate, terraced vineyards, set high above the Pinhão Valley in the Cima Corgo region of the Douro.

“This wine is a mysterious phenomenon, a magical wine produced in extremely limited quantities and only in a few years each decade. It is the expression of a terroir and confirms something that is for me a deeply held belief. The Nacional is great because of the grapes and where they come from, not because of anything particular that we do. It has a unique personality, an extraordinary intensity and, even after many years of ageing, retains an astonishing youthfulness.” Christian Seely


The precise origin of Nacional remains unknown as most of the quinta’s records were destroyed in 1981 when a catastrophic fire swept through Noval’s headquarters in Vila Nova de Gaia. Most of Noval’s vineyards were severely damaged by phylloxera when it ravaged
the Douro region during the 1880’s and 1890’s.

Along with every other grower, António José da Silva (who bought the estate in 1894) began to replant his vineyards with American vines, grafting on vinifera types. It seems that da Silva selected a tiny parcel of the quinta’s vineyards and began extensive fumigation of the soil with a sulphur solution. The first Nacional vines were planted in 1925. The legendary quality of 1931 Nacional is even more
remarkable if one takes into account that many of the vines were between four and seven years old.


The vineyard
The estate of Quinta do Noval includes about 6,000 Nacional vines, with an average age of 30 years. Rows of Nacional alternate with rows of grafted vines in a section of the estatejust below the house, with an exceptional south west exposure. The vines are planted at a density of c. 2,000 vines per acre in traditional terraces with each vine having a space of approximately 3 x 4.5 feet. Like the rest of the estate, the soil of the Nacional plot is essentially infertile schist. It is high in potash with tiny amounts of nitrates, phosphates and organic matter. Although phylloxera is endemic, Nacional vines live just as long as grafted ones: 50 years or more. Their very existence remains a viticultural mystery and triumph. Most Nacional vines are widely acknowledged as some of the best grape varieties for Port:
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinto Cão, as well as Sousão.

What are the declared vintage years for Quinta do Noval Vintage Nacional ?

2011, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1991, 1987, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1980, 1978, 1975, 1970, 

1967, 1966, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1960, 1958, 1955, 1950, 1945, 1934, 1931

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Wine Information

The Vintage declaration of 1931 /Quinta do Noval made its name with the declaration of the 1931 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port, probably the most sensational Vintage Ports of the 20th century.
Because of the global depression and the enormous production and shipment of the 1927 Vintage, most shippers did not declare the 1931. This success established Quinta do Noval among the great names of Vintage Port in the English and American markets, a leading position in terms of reputation which is maintained today.

 


 

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

20 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Deep, Opaque and Dark

ending

Endless, Flavorful and Extensive

flavors

Plum, Smoky, Dried-fruit, Toasty, Nutty and Blackcurrant

nose

Intense, Charming, Complex and Fresh

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, Warming, Perfectly balanced, Concentrated, Multi-dimensional, Mature, Full-bodied, Round, Harmonious, Rich, Medium-Sweet and Silky tannins

Verdict

Masterpiece and Well-rounded

Written Notes

Dark ruby with a hint of garnet. It looks 30 years younger. The nose shows such depth of ripe berries, bark, light coffee, dried flowers. A kaleidoscope of perfumes and aromas. Full-bodied and so fresh with wild dark fruit flavors and super fine tannins. The length and texture is seamless and endless. A monument to vintage port. Perhaps the greatest vintage Port ever made? Deserves more than 100 points. Bottled by an old British bottler who no longer exists - Fearon, Block, Bridges and Routh.

  • 100p

The 1931 Quinta do Noval Naçional has a clear, dark garnet/brown core with light tawny rim and is noticeably darker than the 1931 Noval. It is completely different to the regular Noval on the nose: richer and more powerful, but to me lacking the penetration and delineation. There are notes of eau-de-vie, raisin, molasses, burnt honey and a touch of dried blood but there is a Maderized undercurrent that denudes the bouquet that same charm and pleasure as the 1931 Noval. The palate is rich and powerful. There is a slight toffee-ish and oxidative element on the finish, with a spirituous burn on the back palate. There are probably better bottles about, but good luck finding them. Tasted at Fine Wine Experience's Noval/Naçional vertical.

  • 94p

VINTAGE PORT NACIONAL 1931 –The most scarce and one of the best and most youthful matured Vintage Ports of the world: Very concentrated, but balanced toffee and fruity notes on the bouquet. Still some soft tannins with toffee, honey and malty notes on the palate. Very long and multi-layered aftertaste. This Port is far from being old and tired. What a pity that one does not have one or two cases to accompany its development in the future. 20 Now - 2100

  • 100p
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Information

Origin

Porto, Douro

Age of vines

30 years

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Best buy

Investment potential

Excellent

Glass time

4h

Drinking temperature

10

Inside Information

Some people wrongly assume that Nacional is named after Touriga Nacional. The name in fact comes from the “Nacional”, ungrafted vines described as being “attached directly to the soil of the nation”. At first glance, it is difficult to appreciate the difference between a Nacional vine and a grafted one.

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