1963 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port
Posted: 22:31 Fri 22 Jun 2007
January 2007
Appears to be a UK bottling - no label - purchased from Seckford Wines this year in a shared lot with Alex Bridgeman.
The cork came out intact. It was quite badly stained and the branding was barely legible when first extracted. Straining my eyes to read it I thought for one moment that I could see the word "Nacional" - not bad for £40 a bottle I thought - unfortunately, as the cork dried and exapnded it became clear that I was halucinating - a "normal" Noval 1963 is what I had in front of me (I must have been dreaming about Tom's good fortune too often and made up my own fairytale)
On Decanting
Dark brownish red with a hint of pink. Thick and chewy mouthfeel. Initial taste of strawberry is quickly replaced by heat then a nice long red fruit finish.
+8 Hours
No noticeable change in colour. Strawberry sill dominant with a long, long finish
+11 Hours
Heat has gone completely - very smooth and chewy - now has chocolate and a very long finish with a touch of mint. Best of the 3 tastings so far.
+15 Hours
No significant change from 11 hours
Score: 8-6
Appears to be a UK bottling - no label - purchased from Seckford Wines this year in a shared lot with Alex Bridgeman.
The cork came out intact. It was quite badly stained and the branding was barely legible when first extracted. Straining my eyes to read it I thought for one moment that I could see the word "Nacional" - not bad for £40 a bottle I thought - unfortunately, as the cork dried and exapnded it became clear that I was halucinating - a "normal" Noval 1963 is what I had in front of me (I must have been dreaming about Tom's good fortune too often and made up my own fairytale)
On Decanting
Dark brownish red with a hint of pink. Thick and chewy mouthfeel. Initial taste of strawberry is quickly replaced by heat then a nice long red fruit finish.
+8 Hours
No noticeable change in colour. Strawberry sill dominant with a long, long finish
+11 Hours
Heat has gone completely - very smooth and chewy - now has chocolate and a very long finish with a touch of mint. Best of the 3 tastings so far.
+15 Hours
No significant change from 11 hours
Score: 8-6
