1963 Quinta do Noval

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tasted at the Night Before Bastille Day tasting on July 13, 2017.

From JDAW. Bottled by Grants of St James's. A lovely colour, mature bronzed red; 60% opaque. Rather hot and alcoholic on the nose but bringing sweet nutmeg and mace over slightly woody fruit. Smooth and elegant entry with delicious sweet strawberries on the palate. This is mature and elegant, balanced by a hint of charcoal tannins to counterpoint the mature fruit. A little light in flavour on the palate, but the ingredients all combine to give a delicious experience. Chewy with a touch of green wood on the aftertaste, followed by lots of redcurrant and licorice root that lingers for a while. Served blind, this was guessed to be Martinez 1967 and when told that was wrong, was guessed to be Noval 1963.

Sadly, time in the glass allowed TCA to develop until by the end of the evening the wine was rather unpleasant. 91/100. 13-Jul-17. Decanted 4½ hours.

[jdaw1]

On Thursday 13th July and handful of us got together to share some port.

• Review thread;
• 1963 Croft;
• 1983 Gould Campbell;
• 1963 Quinta do Noval;
• 1966 Quinta do Noval;
• Organising thread.

[jdaw1]

N63, brought by JDAW. Red, 50% opaque. Heat, throughout the length. Then a long unctuous, very unctuous, rich and mid-sweet ending. Very long.