Head to Vale Mendiz in the Pinhão Valley of the Douro, and you’ll encounter one of Portugal’s key wine estates: Quinta do Noval. The estate was revitalized in 1991 under the ownership of AXA’s wine division, following a turbulent few decades that required significant renovation of its vineyards.
Christian Seely, who originally began his journey at Noval and now heads up AXA’s wine division, along with winemaker Carlos Agrellos, recently showcased the estate’s latest releases. Carlos, who took over winemaking responsibilities in 2020, is noted for his improvements in the quality of Noval’s table wines.
Quinta do Noval boasts 192 hectares of diverse vineyards, set in a region characterized by varied altitude and aspect. Their unique approach to vintage declarations allows them to produce a vintage Port almost every year, albeit in limited quantities.
Since launching into table wines in 2004, Noval now balances its production between Port and table wines, with about 15% comprising dry white wines. The diversity of the region includes 65 permitted red grape varieties and 49 whites, though many of the older vineyards feature field blends that complicate identification.
Recent vintages from 2023 and 2024 benefited from a wet winter, leading to an above-average harvest, with the hot summer conditions contributing positively to the wines’ quality. Noval produces an impressive array of wines, with a total of 35 different offerings.
Noval’s recent efforts have included a significant replanting campaign and a focus on utilizing field blends in their Reserva wines, enhancing depth and complexity in their selections. A recent acquisition, Quinta do Passadouro, further broadens their portfolio.
A few highlighted wines include:
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Quinta do Passadouro Branco 2024: A blend of various white grape varieties offering a bright and crisp profile, showcasing natural acidity and aromatic brightness (93/100).
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Cedro do Noval Reserva Branco 2024: This wine impresses with its expressive floral notes and good acidity, striking a balance between freshness and depth (94/100).
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Quinta do Noval Reserva Tinto 2022: A rich and complex wine with blackcurrant fruit and supportive oak structure, poised for excellent aging potential (94/100).
The 2023 Vintage Ports also tell an interesting story. Although it was not a general declaration year, Noval’s dedication ensures they strive to produce vintage-quality Ports regularly. While the harvest faced challenges, the estate managed to create exceptional wines from their select vineyards.
Highlighted Ports include:
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Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2023: A beautiful, powerful wine exhibiting floral black cherry notes along with a sweet, pure fruit character (95/100).
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Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 2023: Intense and layered, this sought-after release delivers complexity with grippy tannins supporting the rich fruit (96/100).
In summary, Quinta do Noval stands as a vital contributor to the Douro’s winemaking prowess, continually evolving to produce both stunning table wines and classic Ports, marked by an impressive depth of character and a commitment to quality.