For The Love Of Port

I've seen this wine (bottled 2002) and would like to hear if anyone has any input on this particular wine (20 yo's from noval - not nessecarily the 2002-bottling).

Oh, btw it's fairly cheap. Around (less-than) 30US$ pr bottle.

That is a great price for a really good 20 yr old Tawny. Although it is a bit of an old bottling. Something not so great, as they are best consumed as close to the bottling date as possible. That is probably why it is so cheap.

I've had one bottle of the Noval's 20 yr tawny before and loved it. I still have one left in my cellar that will probably be opened sometime later this summer.

Thanks Andy.

About the early bottling, I know that X-yo's don't improve in the bottle, but do you think they deterioate rapidly or..?

I was under the impression that aged X-yo's could last for years and years, but never become better that when bottle.

In other words - would you hesitate (considering the price)?

Nikolaj,

Tawny's will an indication of age start to slowly deteriate after being bottled. Yes, they can last for years in the bottle, but that freshness gets less and less as time goes on.

The price you state is almost 1/2 price for what they are currently selling for here in the US. At that price I would be a bit hesitant to buy. The question I would ask is, "Why is this being sold for so cheap." If you are buying from a dealer you know keep that bottle in a temp controled storage then, for the price, I would get it. However, if your not sure how that bottle has been stored for the past 4 years, becareful.

I agree with Andy, this is a superb tawny, in my top 3 and the price is ridiculous. Noval produces serious tawny and along with a few other producers I'd not worry about 4 years in bottle for this product.

Thanks. I've bought them. Now I'm just waiting for a bit of cold weather before tasting. I don't want to "judge" quality port in 28+ degrees C.

Nikolaj,

You're so lucky, I'd give anything for 28c. Here in Los Angeles it has been between 37-40c here for the past several weeks. Not looking like much of a a cool down until after summer, some time in August. So, not much VP drinking until then. But the slightly chilled cheap tawny's and tawnys with an indication of age are flowing freely at my house (OK,OK so is the cold beer, )

Glad to hear you got the bottles. When you try them, please let us know about your experience.

Sure thing, Andy

UK tawny lovers note that Berry Brothers list Noval 20yr Tawny under their own "William Pickering" label at £22.95 per bottle (inc all taxes) or £20.65 if you buy 12.

Again, very reasonable pricing for a top drawer 20yr and the provenance is always very good.

Philip

I've tasted it now. Wow... I never had anythin but 10yo's - except come old colheitas - when it came to old tawny, but this was mindblowing.

Quinta do Noval 20 Year Old Tawnu (bottled 2002)

The texture of this wine was extraordinarily oily. It almost had to be scraped out of the bottle. The color was tawny when it's at it best. Not too light, as I've sometimes seen in 10yo's and not going in the ruby-direction as I've sometimes seen in regular tawnies. Just that caramel-scotch-like tawny.

The nose was a bit alcoholic at first, but that dissappeared after a few minutes. However it was replaced by some acetone-like scent. Other than that, raisins, cherry and citrus in the background.

The palate was filled with cherry, chockolate, leather and coffee - not to mention an almost overpowering aftertaste of almonds and assorted nuts.

The aftertaste was extremely long. Almost a minute or so.

Put it in the fridge and tried it again last night. Still a terrific wine which has lost little or none of it's potency. Awesome QPR. Rating: 95.

Wow! Great tasting note! I'll have to look for some of this. I've really been liking tawny's lately.
-Dave-

Great notes and I am glad you liked it. Thanks for letting us know how it was.