2022 - Quinta do Noval, Vintage

The 2022 Vintage Port was produced with a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Sousão, a selection of the best lots from different plots in the property. For this vintage, seven plots were used from the Pinhão Valley and one from the Roncão Valley, a property they purchased behind Noval, a very powerful place. It was produced in the traditional way: foot trodden in the stone lagars and matured in oak casks for 18 months in the acclimatized cellars in the property in the Douro Valley. It has 19.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.61 and 89 grams of sugar. This is very tannic and concentrated, with noticeable sweetness, with a big structure. It's quite powerful, a little foursquare, 31,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2024.

Full bottle 1,311 g. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Sousão and old-vine field blends. This year's blend is made up of seven different lots from the Pinhão Valley and one from the Roncão Valley. Foot-trodden in lagares and then aged 18 months in wooden casks at the quinta in their air-conditioned cellar. It was an early harvest that started on 25 August but lasted until 27 September thanks to a pause in the harvest when it rained 12–14 September. RS 89 g/l, pH 3.61, TA 4.6 g/l. Very dark with vibrant purple rim. Black core. Intense aroma of ripe but not in the least overripe black, blue and dark-red fruit – blueberry, blackberry and mulberry – pulled back from over-sweetness by a dark, lightly floral and rocky Douro impression. Aromas of crushed rock dust and the wild plants of the region such as esteva (Cistus ladanifer). It is sweet, of course, but the tannins and the freshness, along with that herbal/floral character, bring a counterpoint, as does the thickly chalky (not chewy) texture. Long, smooth finish. Powerful and elegant. One of those vintage ports you might be tempted to drink now even though it has the high alcohol of a fortified wine and has a long life ahead. (JH)