Noval "Black" Reserve Ruby Port

WINE TALK
1

This is a brand new Port not yet in the market place here in the US. It will be replacing the Noval “LB” Reserve Ruby Port currently in the marketplace. I’ll copy the press release below, but yesterday I had the first tastes of this from a bottle I received to evaluate. Pretty impressive so far.

I’ve also opened a bottle of the “LB” so I can do a side-by-side comparision of them. Pretty interesting results…even from a few friends that were over last night and got to compare them side-by-side, and these are not wine drinking friends unless I serve them wine.

In another day or two, when I’m done with my evaluation, I’ll post my final TN’s on them.

QUINTA DO NOVAL LAUNCHES PORT WITH A NEW VISION


Quinta do Noval, one of the world’s legendary wine estates, is proud to announce the release of NOVAL BLACK.

Christian Seely of Quinta do Noval explains: "I have always wanted to make a Port wine that would be a clear expression of the Noval style, easily accessible as a wine that could be poured by the glass, no aging and no decanting necessary. No complications, just a great glass of Port.”

Over the past 15 years, Quinta do Noval has undertaken a huge program of replanting its historic vineyard, all with the noble varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, and others. The result of this work has been coming on stream for the past few years, providing a wealth of superb fruit to choose from each harvest. This fruit is the foundation for Quinta do Noval’s legendary vintage Ports, and in non-declared years will enable it to produce this fresh, fruit-driven premium Port.

This new style of Port will appeal to traditional Port drinkers, but will also attract both first-time Port drinkers and a younger generation of consumers. It is a pure indulgence, enjoyable in any number of ways – on its own at any time, chilled before dinner, or as an extravagance with a piece of chocolate.

With its eye-catching packaging, modern yet elegant, NOVAL BLACK presents a new vision of Port while embodying the quality and tradition of the wines from Quinta do Noval. The name and bottle evoke the color of the intensely concentrated grapes, bursting with flavors of juicy red fruits and sweet spice that endow this Port wine with its seductive personality.

Michael Quinttus of VINTUS, Quinta do Noval’s US Importer, says: “The quality, style and packaging of Noval BLACK are a true innovation in the world of Port. We expect to see Noval BLACK reach accounts and consumers previously neglected by the category.”

From NOVAL BLACK’s tremendous aromatics you can sense something of the wildness of the Douro Valley, and the sheer elegance of its grapes. Watch out in the months to come for more news on NOVAL BLACK!

SRP: $22.

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I tried my bottle last night too, Andy. I am going back to it tonight for a full evaluation.

3

I have been looking forward to trying this stuff. Just ordered a six from Dan Posner…

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Very cool, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

5

Ive finished my TN on this one and I can say it’s one really good Port. A nice step up in quality over the Noval “LB” with more fruit, far less heat, and better structure.

Quinta do Noval Black Port – Reserve Ruby Port

This is darker in color than most Ports of this type and it put on even more color by the second day after opening. Initially some tanky notes were noticeable on the nose, but those were gone by day 2 and 3, leaving the deep rich blackberries and some stoniness to shine. When I finally took a sip of this I was struck by three things immediately; it was medium-full bodied, full of dense fruit, and had massive tannins. On the palate the blueberries, black cherries, and pepper held up well to the chewy tannins. By day 3 the tannins had started to mellow, the pepper spice became more pronounced, and some chocolate showed up on the finish. Day 3 was when this really seemed to come together perfectly, with everything nicely balanced. This drinks more like a well made LBV than a Reserve Ruby. I also tasted this side by side over three days with the Noval “LB”, which its replacing in the US. The “Black” is a big step above the “LB” in quality. This is now among my short list of favorite Reserve Ruby Ports.
91 points

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What strikes about this one, is that this is a very tasty WINE (not just a tasty port).

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Do they still make any of the LBV? Loved the stuff years ago and a buddy of mine to whom I gifted a 1996 recently opened it with me (under terrible storage conditions) and it was superb.

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Yes they still make a superb LBV. Depending on what market (country) your in it’s either unfiltered or filtered. The unfiltered one says “Unfiltered” on the front label, the filtered one does not state either way.

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I recently had another bottle of Noval’s “Black” Port. My notes were consistent with the one listed above. I gotta say this is a darn tasty Reserve Ruby Port especially on day 2 and 3 after it’s had a little time to decant…I bought several more bottles.

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Andy,
I agree with you on it getting better & better each day, very easy to drink. It’s hard to believe that this a Reserve Ruby with such rich color and has alot going on for a great price. I’m glad we loaded up thanks to yours & Roy’s notes.

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We’re going to a friends house for a dinner party on Saturday night. I was considering bringing this, but with all the reports of improvement on Day 2, I’m reluctant to do so. Guess I’ll have to find another choice.

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Dan,
I would still take it and open it when your first get there, that will probably give it a couple hours through the dinner party and it will still show quite nicely, especially after a few other bottles :slight_smile:
Unless you have another choice in mind.

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Dan,
How about just open it the day before, do a quick double decant, put it in the fridge, then take it with you to be enjoyed (of course letting it warm back up first). It won’t hurt it at all to do it that way.

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Carrie,

Glad we could be of help. I now need to pick up another bottle of Graham’s Six Grapes and Fonseca’s Bin 27 and taste them all side by side out of curiosity.

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I’m in. [drinkers.gif]

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I read this after reading Carries post and thought to myself headbang . Why didn’t I think of that.
With the big snow arriving on Friday, I just may taste a short pour, then follow up on day 2. [worship.gif]

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Now your talking…just don’t drink it all before your shin-dig. Trust me when I say it’s hard to stop drinking this one.