Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered 2019

Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered 2019 is a port wine in a class of its own and one of the finest examples of just how elegant and complex a Late Bottled Vintage can be. The wine is produced according to the exact same principles as the house’s famous Vintage Port, but is aged for five years in oak barrels, resulting in a more harmonious and approachable style right from its release. At the same time, it retains the depth, structure, and great aging potential that have made Quinta do Noval one of the Douro Valley’s most respected port houses.

All the grapes come from Quinta do Noval’s own vineyards in the heart of the Douro and consist primarily of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão. The grapes are traditionally crushed by foot in the estate’s historic granite lagares, ensuring a gentle yet effective extraction of color, aroma, and tannins. After fermentation, the wine is aged for five years in large oak barrels before being bottled unfiltered. The lack of filtration preserves the wine’s body, complexity, and aging potential, making it suitable for both immediate enjoyment and many years of bottle aging.

2019 was an outstanding vintage in the Douro. A mild winter, a dry summer, and cooler-than-usual temperatures produced healthy grapes with excellent concentration, high natural acidity, and impressive freshness. The harvest began on September 9 under perfect conditions, and the extended ripening period resulted in a wine of great elegance and fine balance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense and complex with ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, and cherries. These are complemented by raspberries, wild herbs, licorice, coffee, and subtle spicy notes.

Palate: Full-bodied and concentrated with plenty of dark berries, ripe plums, and cherries. The silky-smooth texture is balanced by firm, well-integrated tannins and a lively freshness that lends the wine elegance despite its great power.

Finish: Long, intense, and harmonious, with lingering notes of dark fruit, licorice, spices, and a fresh minerality that promises a long life in the bottle.

The House’s History

Quinta do Noval is one of Portugal’s most iconic port houses, with a history dating back to 1715. For generations, the house has been known for its uncompromising quality, its own vineyards, and a deep respect for traditional production methods. Quinta do Noval is particularly famous for its Vintage Ports and the legendary Nacional, but the house’s Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered is also considered among the absolute best in its category.

The port wines are still produced using foot-treading in the classic granite lagares, where gentle extraction is combined with modern precision. The result is wines with great depth, pure fruit, and a clear expression of Quinta do Noval’s unique terroir in the Douro.

• Producer: Quinta do Noval
• Wine: Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered
• Vintage: 2019
• Type: Port
• Country: Portugal
• Region: Douro
• Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão
• Vinification: Foot-treading in traditional granite lagares
• Aging: 5 years in oak barrels
• Bottled: October 2024
• Unfiltered: Yes
• Contains: Sulfites
• Volume: 75 cl
• Alcohol: 19.5%