The 2021 Quinta do Noval Nacional Port is a proprietary blend produced by Quinta do Noval in the Douro region of Portugal. This red wine, closed with a cork, boasts an alcohol content of 19.5%. With its deep roots in Portuguese winemaking tradition, the 2021 vintage has garnered significant praise from notable wine reviewers.
James Suckling rated this wine a 97, highlighting its "purity of fruit" with flavors of "sliced ripe cherries and crushed blackberries with blueberries, as well as fresh flowers." He noted the medium- to full-bodied profile with "ultra-fine tannins" and described the wine as "really polished and silky." Suckling compared it to the "perfect 2011" but with slightly less concentration, suggesting that this wine will be at its best after 2030 (jamessuckling.com, 10/4/2023).
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the 2021 Quinta do Noval Nacional an impressive score of 98. He praised it as a "much more inward, reserved, concentrated effort that demands bottle age," emphasizing its density and elegance. Dunnuck identified notes of "ripe black fruits, iron, graphite, liquid violet, and spice" in the bouquet. He mentioned that the wine takes time to reveal its complexity but has all the hallmarks of a great Port, including "purity, complexity, texture, balance, concentration, and length." According to him, this wine should be cellared for 10-15 years and can evolve gracefully for up to 75 years (jebdunnuck.com, 10/24/2023).
Wine Spectator's review, penned by J.M., scored the wine a 96. The review described it as "richly layered and nicely rendered," with "a mouthwatering ganache note" that coats a core of "blackberry and plum compote flavors." The wine also has a "sense of underlying energy" and a "prominent backdrop of warm earth, licorice root and roasted alder notes." J.M. found it impressive for the vintage and recommended enjoying it from 2040 through 2060 (Wine Spectator, 11/29/2023).
In summary, the 2021 Quinta do Noval Nacional Port is a highly esteemed wine with accolades for its purity, complexity, and aging potential. Reviewers suggest allowing it time to develop its full character, with a drinking window extending several decades into the future.