For The Love Of Port

• 2007 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (4/13/2010)
  Not decanted; popped and poured. Dark inky color, glass staining, probably tooth staining as well. Rich and concentrated, almost pulpy. This reminded me of the 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio in color and texture. Others have mentioned lavender, and they are dead on. Almost like blackberry pie infused with lavender, violets and dark bittersweet chocolate. Wonderful concentration, structure, balance and length. Fantastic stuff. Can't wait to taste it on day 2. (97 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

It could be my imagination, but this looked quite a bit darker on day two. Otherwise this was pretty much unchanged, meaning it was stellar.

Great note Marco. I also love this VP and since the first time I tried it, it was on my short list of favorites. After tasting a good number more VP's, by October last year I was already saying it was my favorite of the vintage.

It's up there as one of my favorites 2007 as well, along with the Graham and the Vesuvio. I haven't tried the Dows or the Vale Meao yet... Is the Vale Meao even available in the US?

I haven't had the Vale Meao yet, but the Dow's is another I love.

Marco D. wrote:Is the Vale Meao even available in the US?

Sadly, I don't think it is. I've searched everywhere for it and can't find it.

It's pretty easy to find in Europe, though, and reasonably priced too.

It's seems to be one of the cheaper 2007's out there, and it hasn't got any press around here, so it won't be gone in seconds like the Noval.

Thanks for the TN. I wish I could be there tasting it, after reading that description. Sounds wonderful.

I am wondering why we're not seeing more Noval around yet? It should be interesting to see if the price goes out of control early on the way it happened with those of us who can remember when the 1997 was launched.

The Meao is really very solid too. I think I may still have one left?

Considering it's latest WS score for the Noval was 93 I don't there will be a huge price increase.

Andy Velebil wrote:I haven't had the Vale Meao yet, but ...

Absolutely worth to look for. Even after 120 hours this was stunning- good balance, clean fruit, fine and vivid acidity, present but polished tannins and a long finish. It should have the stuffing to go the long way.

Michael M. wrote:

Andy Velebil wrote:I haven't had the Vale Meao yet, but ...

Absolutely worth to look for. Even after 120 hours this was stunning- good balance, clean fruit, fine and vivid acidity, present but polished tannins and a long finish. It should have the stuffing to go the long way.

Thanks I'm keeping an eye out for it.

Michael,

I totally agree. Here was my note on the Vale Meao:

2007 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port
Cask sample. From the property that is still associated in consumer's minds, with the legend that is Barca Velha comes this brilliant youngster. When I tasted my way through the first bottle in mid-May this was showing very well and I was pleased to have another bottle to try back at home, once it settled down a month later. Expansive and sublime earthy perfume and fresh berry laden aromas soar out of the glass as this is not your ordinary young Vintage Port. It's loaded with herbs and spices, anise/licorice and tobacco along with the brooding dark berry scents that sex it up. As enormous as this VP is, and make no mistake about it: the concentration here is of epic proportions for a 2007 (akin to the finest in 2003) ... there is precision that delivers that rare combination of power and elegance which I only occasionally find in Vintage Ports. I'll skip over the list of flavors and focus on the exactitude and balance, with near perfect harmony between the massive waves of fruit, the core of seductive acidity and the iron-spined tannic structure. Along with Niepoort, Meão is tied for 2nd place near the pinnacle of the entire 2007 pyramid. An admirable achievement and kudos to the Olazabal family. 96-98 points

Roy Hersh wrote:... there is precision that delivers that rare combination of power and elegance which I only occasionally find in Vintage Ports...with near perfect harmony between the massive waves of fruit, the core of seductive acidity and the iron-spined tannic structure.

Roy, excellent phrase as it conveys perfectly the oustanding attribute of this younster.