Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage

An estate-grown LBV from a historic property in the Vale Mendiz, in the hills of Pinhao, has the soothing balance of a relatively cool year in the Douro. It’s layered with the flavours of salted plums and a smokiness of split schist rock. A deep, rich brick red colour, the bouquet is ripe, vigorous and fruity. The palate delivers a mouthful of fresh red fruits, with a solid tannic structure and a long, harmonious finish.

The history of Quinta do Noval begins, as far as we are aware, in 1715. The estate belonged to the Rebello Valente family, although it did not have the reputation for the production of Port that it has today. The estate passed through several other hands before purchase by António José da Silva in 1894. If there is any moment in time which should be identified as a turning point for Quinta do Noval, this is it. Da Silva, and his son Luis Vasconcelos Porto, replanted vineyards, repaired buildings, widened the terraces – in doing so he made the estate one of the showpieces of the Douro – and generally kick-started a Quinta do Noval revolution.