2013 Quinta do Noval
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Vintage Port from Noval is a little more seductive on the nose compared to the 2014, blackberry and raspberry, very floral and still not unlike a fortified Margaux, which is no bad thing. The palate is really wonderful with fine but firm tannins, plenty of freshness, notes of allspice and white pepper filtering through the layers of black fruit yet with a sense of weightlessness on the finish. This 2013 maybe pulls ahead of the succeeding two vintages in time. Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Vintage Port is part of our mini-vertical this issue. Still tight, intense and showing plenty of power to go with its finesse, this evolves beautifully with air. The firmness on the finish here is impressive, giving this a chance to continue developing beautifully. It is not as expressive as the 2012—it is a bit more backward—but it is a more serious wine in many ways. I'm still a believer in this, although it certainly seems a step behind the biggest winners in the mini-vertical. This has some questions to answer in the cellar, but I think they will be answered to the satisfaction of most.
The 2013 Vintage Port from Quinta do Noval is a "dangerous" fortified since every sip encourages another. Replete with blueberry, blackberry, allspice and dates on the nose, this is quite opulent and seductive. After 30 minutes it becomes more floral with scents of crushed violet, almost like a super-charged Margaux! The palate is similar: rounded and velvety in texture, not profoundly complex but my word, it slips down the throat easily. It does not carry the weight of a top flight Quinta do Noval, but it aims to charm and seduce thanks to that lovely pure damson fruit on the finish. Just delicious, but watch you don't get carried away. Tasted from a sample bottle at home.
Heady, rich, fine and ripe. Very rounded – more complete than the 2012 and richer in fruit purity. (RH)