Bargain Alert: Noval Colheita and Noval Nacional

[Frank T]

I just picked up a couple of bottles of 75 Noval Nacional for $169 each at http://www.calvertwoodley.com. They also have the 96 Nacional for $349, which is the cheapest I've noticed it, although too rich for my blood.

Also bought the 74 Noval Colheita for $66 or so per bottle (when ordering 6...around $70 otherwise, I think) from http://www.winechateau.com. That's also the cheapest I've seen that around, although I haven't been looking very hard. Just opportunistic.

Anyway, thought some others might want to buy a few bottles.

I am just a drinker/collector, no affiliation, etc.

Cheers!

Frank

(PS: This is "wantok"...changed the name so it would be less confusing 8) )

[Roy Hersh]

Thanks Frank. Although it would have been an easy decision to grab 6 and take advantage of the discount, I figured they would not have that many of the '74 Noval Colheitas in stock and wanted to make sure to leave some bottles for others to buy.

The Quinta de Vargellas 2001 for $43.29 is a must buy IMO. Very fine juice for that price, while the Churchill Crusted at $24 also sounded interesting.

Thank you for the heads up!

[Frank T]

My pleasure. This is one of my first posts, so I hope listing this sort of thing is appropriate...I don't know enough about pricing to be sure these are bargains, but I know I like the ports in question and the prices seemed at least pretty good. :)

[Roy Hersh]

Frank,

Not only appropriate, but welcome!

The pricing was secondary to finding the lovely Noval 1974 which is one of the really great Colheitas that is in the bargain category considering it has over 30 years of bottle age and shows secondary nuances ... besides being a really fine bottle of Colheita. Thanks again!

[Frank T]

Yeah, the '74 really is a nice Colheita. And the price is so attractive I'm tempted to keep buying and start drinking.

[Andy Velebil]

Thanks Frank,

And although the NN '96 is too rich for me, it's a great bottle from an otherwise non-declared year for most producers. Actually, I prefer the '96 NN to the '97 NN.

[Roy Hersh]

The '96 Vesuvio is pretty awesome too. I would imagine that Frank lives pretty close to you Andy? I detect a Port offline in the future.

Roy

[Al B.]

Andy,

Do you realise how your comment sounded?

Actually, I prefer the '96 NN to the '97 NN

It did make me smile. It was quite an awesome opportunity to be able to try those two wines side-by-side. I still haven't finished typing up my notes from the trip but I've just got to this tasting. I had them both down as superb wines, very different in style and not able to choose a favourite between them.

What an opportunity that was.

Alex

[Andy Velebil]

Alex,

Yes, those are two great bottles of Port. Both are still babies and will age for a long long time. Just goes to show you that the NN is sometimes better in the off-years. Just like the 2003 NN and regular bottling. I prefered the '03 regular bottling. FWIW, I scored the '96NN 98+ points and the '97NN 94+ points.

Do you realise how your comment sounded?

Scarry, isn't it

[Derek T.]

Andy,

Don't worry, you are not alone in sounding like an NN expert - don't you remember a certain individual saying something along the lines of "This Nacional 64 is much better than the one we had a few weeks ago, isn't it Derek?" - I just wish I could remember who it was who said it

Derek

[Roy Hersh]

I understand your enthusiasm, but I thought you gents were going to wait and give me a chance to put out the official version?

Refer to the manual: What takes place in the Douro .... :wall:

[Derek T.]

oops - sorry, Roy

Derek

[Andy Velebil]

I would imagine that Frank lives pretty close to you Andy? I detect a Port offline in the future.

Roy

Yes he does, Hmm, off line sounds good to me