2022 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, Douro Valley

The 2022 vintage reminded Christian Seely at Quinta do Noval of the 2017 and 1945 vintages, both notable for the resilience of their vines in the face of soaring temperatures. Seely describes 2022 as ‘a year of extremes’ but also believes this vintage will follow in the footsteps of previous highly rated vintages (and he is usually right about such matters).
Touriga Nacional was the star performer in 2022 and counts for the lion’s share of this year’s blend alongside smaller volumes of Tinto Cão, Sousão, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Francesa—all foot-trodden in temperature-controlled granite lagares. The wine matured for 18 months in old wooden barrels and was bottled in May 2024 with 89 g/L residual sugar.

Crafted from a rigorous selection of just 7% of the estate’s vines, it’s a luscious, ripe Noval with fruit flavours of black plums, violets and wild berries complemented by a delightful perfume that seamlessly intertwines with the velvety, luxurious texture. It’s perhaps the most accessible of Noval’s recent declarations, even if it does not want for staying power. The sheer vibrancy and balance captured this year are remarkable.

“This bursts forth on the nose: black cherries, raspberry coulis, liquorice, cigar humidor, and light pine touches—wonderful delineation and focus. The palate is very well balanced with superb definition. Pure black fruit is judiciously spiced, with hints of Christmas cake, black pepper and outstanding cohesion on the finish. At 2,600 cases of twelve, this is a relatively larger declaration compared to recent vintages, indicative of Christian Seely's belief in the vintage. Drink 2032 – 2065.” 

95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

“This is a huge, monumental wine that will need decades to reach its prime. Heady, bold aromas of crushed blackberries, wood char, and grilled plums lead to blackberry jam, road tar, dark chocolate, and espresso soaked in sweetness and resting in a full body. It has such a long, sweet, and fruit-infused finish. Best from 2037 and several more decades.” 

95 points, James Suckling

The wine matured for 18 months in old wooden barrels and was bottled in May 2023 with 97 g/L residual sugar. From the purity of its floral-led aromas and layered berry-fruited palate, this is Noval in its most elegant form. As always, it’s a wine of striking purity and intensity, yet it wears its power lightly, and the long, gently spiced finish is pure class. A delicious counterpoint to the opulent wines of recent years, it will work well in restaurants from a reasonably young age.

in the Duriense region of northwestern Portugal. António José da Silva, a merchant at the port of Gaia in Porto, acquired Quinta do Noval in 1894, after it was ravaged by the devastating phylloxera aphid. Subsequently, his son-in-law Luiz Vasconcelos Porto set up a major program to renovate the vineyard. In particular, he transformed the narrow, dry stone terraces that shape the landscape of the Douro vineyards by widening them. Revolutionary at the time, this method promotes better use of space and sunlight. Treated with lime, these white terraces remain a source of great pride for the Quinta do Noval estate.

Due to exceptional climatic conditions, Quinta do Noval decided to declare the 1931 vintage, producing a Vintage Port and a Vintage Nacional. Because of the challenges brought on by global recession and the large shipments of 1927 Vintage Port, only 3 Port houses declared the 1931 Port Vintage. And so, Quinta do Noval established itself as a leader on the American and English markets.

One of the elite houses of Port, Quinta do Noval became part of the AXA Millésimes group in 1993. Christian Seely has managed the group since 2000.

The identity of this prestigious house revolves around its vineyards, which represent a foundation for the wines of Quinta do Noval. This is the only House of Port whose name includes the name of its vineyard, fully qualified as A, the highest qualification attributed in the classification of Port vineyards. Quinta do Noval is the owner of the legendary plot that produces the “Nacional Vintage”. This rare Port, declared only in the very best years, comes from a plot that was untouched by phylloxera. Produced in very small quantities, with grapes from a single terroir, the Nacional Vintage Port by Quinta do Noval is today one of the most sought after Port wines in the world.

Vintage after vintage, the consistency of style and the extraordinary quality of its Port wines have made Quinta do Noval an iconic estate, held in highest esteem by Port purists around the world.