At Noval, the LBV is treated exactly like a Vintage Port and made with only noble grape varieties from the quinta, trodden by foot and bottled unfiltered. The main difference is that it is aged for four, sometimes even five years in wooden vats instead of the two years typical for vintage Ports. The result is a LBV with a difference; layered fruit, fine tannins, great freshness and purity. Simply, this is Noval's ‘baby vintage’ and has a track record second to none in the category.
The 2014 is a field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Sousão, all aged for five years in Portuguese oak and Chestnut casks. It's a wonderfully layered, elegant and perfumed wine with a long, flavour-packed finish, yet has the fine-grained tannins ensuring longevity. It’s an outstanding introduction to the Noval style.
By bottling this Port unfiltered, the producer has given it the possibility of aging. So while the wine’s rich black fruits and fully integrated spirit show it is drinkable now, the firm tannins, dark raisin and black fruit flavors give it a great potential as well.
90 points winemag.com
It is nicely aromatic, with a touch of eucalyptus. The structure is downright impressive, and this needed the time in cask. It tightens slowly but inevitably as it airs out. Noval doesn’t make traditional LBVs that fall apart—and it will stay on a plateau for a long time.
90 points Mark Squires robertparker.com
Product/Service Sold Out | Yes |
---|---|
En Primeur | No |
New Arrivals | No |
Wine Type | Fortified |
Country | Portugal |
Region | Douro Valley |
Varietals | Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz |
Vintage | 2014 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |