Quinta do Noval - Porto Vintage 2021
Quinta do Noval is a prestigious Port wine house founded in 1715, recognized as one of the few estates located in the heart of the Douro Valley, and not in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Its name comes from its emblematic vineyard, Quinta do Noval, which benefits from an exceptional terroir. The vineyards of the quinta are mainly planted with the noble grape varieties typical of the Douro: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Cao. These grapes grow on a substrate composed of a unique mixture of schist and clay soils, where the presence of many rocks requires particularly meticulous and demanding harvest work for the winemakers. Since 1994, a large replanting of the parcels has been carried out with a rigorous selection of the varieties best suited to the nature of the soil, altitude, and sun exposure. At the heart of this vineyard lies a small plot of old ungrafted vines, rare witnesses that escaped the phylloxera disaster of the 19th century. Since 1993, Christian Seely has expertly led the Quinta do Noval house while managing several other European vineyards within the AXA Millésimes group. This international group also owns renowned estates such as Château Pichon-Longueville, Château Pibran, as well as the famous Hungarian estate Disznókő.
This Porto Vintage 2021 is made according to traditional methods respectful of authenticity: the grapes are gently trodden to extract the must, which then macerates in the lagares – typical stone vats of the Quinta – allowing optimal extraction of aromas and tannins during fermentation. The wine was then aged for 18 months in wooden barrels with a minimum capacity of 640 liters, ensuring harmonious maturation and complex flavor development.
Grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cao, Sousão
