For The Love Of Port

I rarely commit statutory grape but I opened a bottle of the Noval VP 2003 on Mother's Day and nursed it for 8 days. It was far better on the 8th day from the decanter. On opening, the bouquet was closed. It was dense, closed, on the palate. It was like ultra concentrated must.
It gradually opened up and on the 8th day it showed why it has 92 points and will be great in 25-30 years.

Someone call the cops, he killed a young one...just kidding

I've had this one too, and it is a beast that needs lots of cellar time before it reaches its peak. When it does, it will be way better than 92 points. Heck, IMHO I think it is better than 92 right now, but that is just my opinion.

Forgive my newb question, but did you leave it open to air for 8 days, or did you cork the bottle?

It was in a decanter with a glass stopper.

Statutory grape?? Killing a young one??

- or should it be

paedoportophilia ?

Tom

92 points???

Here is my notes from a blind tasting of 12 of the 2003 VP's. earlier this year.

8- Quinta do Noval:
Darkest so far, and ended up being the second darkest off all 12. I have never had a Noval port before, but after reading all the TN’s here I knew what this one was as soon as I dove in. That nose was incredible, the only detractor was a slight bit of heat and tannins that will blow off in due time. Boy, that first taste grabbed me by the balls (pardon the term) and held on tight. OMG! Is this one great. This is loaded with fruit and spices that just won’t let go. The finish seems like it won’t end. This thing will last 40+ years. (I guessed correctly that this was the Noval).

I didn't attach a score to it at the time, but obviously from my notes it was an awsome port, and one that will become a legend.

This thing will last 40+ years

WELL LEAVE IT ALONE THEN

Derek

I can't give it points when it is this young . At least 92 but maybe 95-99. Andy has it right , this will be around 40-50 years.

The case of Nov '03 I bought en primeur last year is finally being delivered this morning (along with Delaforce and Vesuvio). I will then totter down the precarious steps of my cellar, put it down - and leave it!

As an aside, I note from the delivery advice that these are all being delivered in cases of six. Only two of my six cases of '03 have arrived in a case of twelve.

The oldest case of six in my cellar is a Vesuvio '90 - after a gradual takeover, are we about to see the demise of the dozen case?

Tom

I hope we don't lose the traditional 12 bottle wooden case but I also hope that we will see more shippers using the 6 pack as an option, especially for the higher priced vintages which often go out of budget or limit the number of different shippers one can buy from a particular vintage.

I also think it would be good if the big boys would start selling mixed label 12 packs - e.g. 3 Dow + 3 Graham + 3 Warre + 3 Vesuvio in a wooden case would make a nice option for the 2005's and would help me forget that the price is too high!!

Derek

Good idea! - Both the Syms and Taylor Fladgate could do mixed cases with relative ease.

In many respects I prefer the cases of six - carrying a case of twelve down a steep flight of stairs is not confidence inspiring - with a case of six you have much more control!

Cases of six also make it possible to stock a greater number of types.

However, I have heard wine merchants grumble that stacks of six packs are much more vulnerable to falling over..

Anyone from VNG like to comment??

Tom

Just wanted to say that I also love the idea of the 12 bottles "mixed case". Berry Brothers did a "mixed pipe" offer with the 2003 vintage which was a similar idea. I forget the shippers that were included, but you got something like 55 cases made up of a mix of Taylor, Fonseca, Graham, Warre etc. Sadly, I didn't have £21,000 sitting around at the time.

But the mixed case from the shipper is a great idea. And would be a unique selling point for the major houses over the boutique quintas.

Noval could even do a "special" case where you get 11 bottles of the regular wine and 1 of the nacional.

Or am I starting to get carried away....

Or am I starting to get carried away

Not really - Noval used to dispense Nacional on a quota basis - you had to buy the regular juice to get an allowance of Nacional.

Tom