2000 Quinta do Noval Nacional

[Alex Bridgeman]

Light red, the colour of strawberry juice, and with a wide transparent rim. Horribly reductive nose and would have benefited considerably with a longer time in the decanter. Sweet fruit-syrup entry showing the reductive edge to the wine before the powerful tannins start to grip. Sweet fruit balanced by dry tannins. The fruit syrup comes back on the aftertaste before a lingering finish driven by the tannins that shows the lengthy persistence common to all Nacional wines. Perhaps a touch lighter than my expectations for a Nacional, but likely just in an odd place in its evolution. 91/100. Drunk 16-Sep-13