A gift from Simon Lisle some time ago. Opened tonight because I noticed it had started to leak. Here are some pictures first:
1978 Quinta do Noval
1978 Quinta do Noval vintage port
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 1978 Quinta do Noval vintage port
On decanting
A very light colour when decanting but, as the picture above shows, very bright and attractive in the glass. The nose is caramel, like a tawny. Light entry but it seems to thicken considerably in the mouth. Fully mature, and beyond, with anicede and dried fruits. Smooth and not unpleasant in any way but nothing to grab the attention. The finish is quite long and slightly bitter at the end.
A very light colour when decanting but, as the picture above shows, very bright and attractive in the glass. The nose is caramel, like a tawny. Light entry but it seems to thicken considerably in the mouth. Fully mature, and beyond, with anicede and dried fruits. Smooth and not unpleasant in any way but nothing to grab the attention. The finish is quite long and slightly bitter at the end.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 1978 Quinta do Noval vintage port
+4 hours
Darker and now has a sweeter nose. Heavier and more substantial than it was on decanting. No significant difference in the flavours but now has a little warmth that adds an interesting dimension. The finish is long and very sweet. This isn't bad stuff at all. At auction you would pick this up for not much money and it would make a very good quaffing juice right now and for the next 3-5 years. I don't think it has a long life ahead but it probably never did.
Score: 5-3
Darker and now has a sweeter nose. Heavier and more substantial than it was on decanting. No significant difference in the flavours but now has a little warmth that adds an interesting dimension. The finish is long and very sweet. This isn't bad stuff at all. At auction you would pick this up for not much money and it would make a very good quaffing juice right now and for the next 3-5 years. I don't think it has a long life ahead but it probably never did.
Score: 5-3
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 1978 Quinta do Noval vintage port
+28 hours
Still a very nice glass of port but now a little flabby and light. On this showing I would recommend finishing it off on the first day or putting half in the fridge at the time of decanting.
Still a very nice glass of port but now a little flabby and light. On this showing I would recommend finishing it off on the first day or putting half in the fridge at the time of decanting.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn