Nacional Vintage Port 2003

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NOVAL CONTINUES TO WORK ITS MAGIC WITH THE 2012 VINTAGE

There are few acts as crucial in the life of a Port House as the decision to declare a Vintage: on average, producers declare just three Vintages over 10 years. At Quinta do Noval, we take this decision only when we are overwhelmingly convinced that we have produced an exceptionally high-quality wine: we are aware of the fact that every declared Vintage leaves an indelible mark on our Quinta’s history, and that every declaration puts our reputation at stake.

Our decision to declare the 2012 Vintage is a genuine event, particularly as we are one of only very few Quintas to have taken this step. The context is unusual, since this Vintage follows the declaration of the 2011 Vintage, a year which was so exceptional that it gave rise to a general declaration. Even in these circumstances, a general declaration is decided by consensus, representing the body of decisions by all individual producers, each of whom can refuse to declare individually.

Conversely, a producer can choose to declare a Vintage on their own, if they consider that their wines are worthy of the honour. At Quinta do Noval, the wine itself makes the decision: if we consider that the year has produced a great wine, if the quality is there, then we declare – regardless of whether or not there are significant quantities available, and regardless of whether or not there is market demand. It is an almost eccentric compulsion driven by our conviction that we must do the right thing. This is how we have always operated, and we will continue to do so: we consider that it is our duty to pay tribute to the magic of the wines from this unique vineyard.

Each Vintage has a distinct personality, which is so much the better:very clear-cut differences in character are discernible from one year to another. However, the underlying attribute which we find in all Quinta do Noval wines, which makes them different from any other Port wine (and is instantly recognisable) is the soul and personality of the place where they are made. There is something floral and delicate about these wines; their aromas give a taste of the Douro Valley's wild beauty.

The 1955 and 1966 Vintages are two perfect examples of this character: their fragrant, floral and extremely subtle nose makes these two very great years the archetype of the Quinta do Noval style. This is the style (or at least the first signs of it) that we try to identify in young batches. Not only their aromatic character, but also the subtlety of their tannins, gives Quinta do Noval Vintages their unique identity. When the wine is young, these characteristics are infinitely hard to detect: you have to anticipate the way the wine will develop, use your intuition and have the courage to believe in your decision.

The 2012 Vintage follows on the heels of the amazing 2011 Vintage, one of the greatest Vintages ever produced in the Douro Valley. 2012 might not be in quite the same league, but it’s a wine in which the notes of fruit are very open, subtle and elegant, making it irresistibly charming.  Some batches of wine produced in 2012 were so fine that we had to declare the Vintage, even though it came just after the very great 2011 Vintage. Selection was very strict and the quantity produced (only 1,000 cases of wine) is made up of these very fine batches. We are delighted to present this wine, which is unquestionably typical of Quinta do Noval and which stands side by side with other great Vintages of the past, but as always with its own unique personality conferred by the year.

Resulting from abundant and crucial spring rains followed by a very dry summer, which produced absolutely magnificent red wines, the 2012 Vintage is ideal for immediate enjoyment: it is absolutely delicious, with a typically floral character.  Tasting it evokes this place which is so dear to all of us: at Quinta do Noval, we are convinced that the Douro Valley is one of the world’s greatest wine-growing terroirs. It’s a wild and fascinating place, and Quinta do Noval is without any doubt one of the Douro’s greatest treasures: a free and untameable place, whose rugged beauty is reflected in every one of our wines.

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