NV Quinta do Noval Black Ruby Reserve Port

[Andy Velebil]

This is darker in color than most Ports of this type and it put on even more color by the second day after opening. Initially some tanky notes were noticeable on the nose, but those were gone by day 2 and 3, leaving the deep rich blackberries and some stoniness to shine. When I finally took a sip of this I was struck by three things immediately; it was medium-full bodied, full of dense fruit, and had massive tannins. On the palate the blueberries, black cherries, and pepper held up well to the chewy tannins. By day 3 the tannins had started to mellow, the pepper spice became more pronounced, and some chocolate showed up on the finish. Day 3 was when this really seemed to come together perfectly, with everything nicely balanced. This drinks more like a well made LBV than a Reserve Ruby. I also tasted this side by side over three days with the Noval "LB", which its replacing in the US. The "Black" is a big step above the "LB" in quality. This is now among my short list of favorite Reserve Ruby Ports.
91 points

[Roy Hersh]

Bravo, Andy!

Of course skeptics will say that we collaborated on the identical score, but WE know ... that is not the case. Nice job!

[Andy Velebil]

Bravo, Andy!

Of course skeptics will say that we collaborated on the identical score, but WE know ... that is not the case. Nice job!

They can say all they want but I've got the raw day by day notes and scores to prove otherwise. This is a really good Reserve Ruby! Noval did a great job

[Andy Velebil]

As an experiment I also served this to several friends who were over at my house the other night (Saturday). They tried the Noval Black and Noval "LB" side by side. These friends are not wine drinkers unless I serve it to them, so they are always up front and very honest with their thoughts on what they like and don't when I serve them wines and Ports. I only information I told them was both bottles were the same class (Reserve Ruby Port). Other than small bit of info I told them nothing else and as far as I know none of them have ever had the "LB" before, or any other Noval Port for that matter.

They all loved the Black and thought it was a much better Port than the LB. Most comments from them were the Black had better fruit and the "LB" was hotter and "more alcoholic." They all stated that if they ever needed to buy a Port, they would easily choose the Black over the LB. One even called me the next day to ask if he could come over and have more Black! That's pretty darn good since he's only done that once before when I gave him an old VP to try.

After they had tasted them both and said their piece, I asked them what they though about the bottle designs of both. I'll spare the comments about the LB bottle, but suffice it to say they loved the design of the Black far better.

So it seems the Black even appeals to novice wine drinkers

[Glenn E.]

How would you rate it vs a Graham's Six Grapes, Fonseca Bin 27, or Taylor Fladgate First Estate?

Or even better (at least for me, because it's what I have on hand) compare it to Broadbent Auction Reserve?

[Andy Velebil]

How would you rate it vs a Graham's Six Grapes, Fonseca Bin 27, or Taylor Fladgate First Estate?

Or even better (at least for me, because it's what I have on hand) compare it to Broadbent Auction Reserve?

It's been a long time since I've last had the Broadbent Auction Reserve or the Taylor's First Estate so I really can't comment directly on them. I like it better than the Bin 27, but I haven't been a huge fan of the Bin 27 since they changed it stylistically a number of years ago. As for the Six Grapes, I think this is on par with it and I would have to put them side by side to see which would win. But I'm not sure I would really want to do that. IMO this category of Ports isn't for comparing to each other like a VP. These are all very uniquely styled for the house they represent and all have their own qualities. It really depends on what your looking for. The Six Grapes and Black are more LBV'ish with dark fruit and tannins, more full bodied. The Bin 27 and Taylors are more bright red fruit driven and a bit hotter for my palate and more medium bodied. So it really depends on what you prefer.

[Tim Swaback]

Just out of curiosity do you remember what you paid for the black? I've been keeping my eye out for it and finally spotted it at a Wisconsin store for $20 and picked up a bottle. Minnesota is horrible for port prices so I'm wondering if I should go buy a few more at this price.

[Roy Hersh]

I have seen it for as low as $18 and as high as $23, so you are in a good place to buy locally and not have to worry about adding shipping costs.

[Tim Swaback]

I'll have to run back there in a few days to pick up another couple bottles. Around here prices are crazy. $30 for six grapes and $26 for Bin 27.

[Andy Velebil]

Just out of curiosity do you remember what you paid for the black? I've been keeping my eye out for it and finally spotted it at a Wisconsin store for $20 and picked up a bottle. Minnesota is horrible for port prices so I'm wondering if I should go buy a few more at this price.

I found it near me for $16 IIRC and bought several. I need to grab a few more for a daily drinker.

[Roy Hersh]

Tim,

We have a very convenient feature that you might want to embrace. In our TNDB, you can look up the specific Port and list of TNs but at the very top of the page there is a place to click on Winesearcher.com which provides you with the lions share of places in the USA where the specific Port is sold. I am assuming you can purchase wines and have them shipped to MN from CA, right? If so and not illegal in your state, then you will save a boatload of money as the prices you've listed are ludicrous. I realize that's not your fault and not trying to shoot the messenger, but you really need to shop around on the net.

[Lamont Huxley]

I tasted the Noval Black last week at the shop I work at. A sales rep brought in a bottle for sampling and I had a couple of healthy pours. I was really surprised at how good it was. I'm generally not a fan of the premium ruby class (and therefore haven't had many in recent years) as I usually don't find enough complexity/balance in them to keep me interested, but this was an exception. Although it wasn't hugely complex, it had great balance and purity of dark fruit - as good as or better than many LBVs I've bought at a higher price. Unfortunately, I didn't have a long time to spend with this and didn't take notes, but based on my impressions I'd probably score it in the 88-90 range. Great stuff!

[David Spriggs]

but this was an exception....Great stuff!

I will have to find a bottle and try it!

[Andy Velebil]

I tasted the Noval Black last week at the shop I work at. A sales rep brought in a bottle for sampling and I had a couple of healthy pours. I was really surprised at how good it was. I'm generally not a fan of the premium ruby class (and therefore haven't had many in recent years) as I usually don't find enough complexity/balance in them to keep me interested, but this was an exception. Although it wasn't hugely complex, it had great balance and purity of dark fruit - as good as or better than many LBVs I've bought at a higher price. Unfortunately, I didn't have a long time to spend with this and didn't take notes, but based on my impressions I'd probably score it in the 88-90 range. Great stuff!

This was very recently served to some very serious Port lovers, double blind. All I can say is it was generally well received and one person even stated it was a SQVP from a non-declared year! If that doesn't say something about the quality of this I don't know what will. Noval did a superb job the The Black.

[Tom D.]

Just out of curiosity do you remember what you paid for the black? I've been keeping my eye out for it and finally spotted it at a Wisconsin store for $20 and picked up a bottle. Minnesota is horrible for port prices so I'm wondering if I should go buy a few more at this price.

FWIW I just saw the Noval Black at several Binny's in the Chicago area for $18.99.