1963 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port

[Glenn E.]

A bottle I've had in my cellar for 2 years that was purchased online. No label, but capsule clearly branded 1963 Noval. Second capsule under the first also clearly stamped 1963 Noval. Upon removal (in 2 large pieces) the cork was also clearly branded Quinta do Noval Vintage 1963. Served pop-n-pour due to the known variability of this Port, but with 6-8 hours of evening ahead of it so that we could experience it opening up.

1963 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port

Color: Lighter than expected for a 1963, mostly red with some pinkish tones to it.
Nose: Spirity but filled with soft and luscious fruits. The spirits calmed down with time.
Palate: Honey-like texture and flavor. Soft red fruits, some strawberry and some very ripe red raspberry. Good heat, not hot but very definitely warm. Sweet spices and possibly a little bit of caramel. Fully mature and ready to drink - I don't think there's any improvement left to be had in this one. Improved over time both in the decanter and in the glass, so a 2-4 hour decant probably would have been about right.
Finish: Very nice, very even. Good length though not extraordinary.

Score: 92 points. I paid $85 and would happily do so again for another bottle like this one. It wasn't outstanding, but it was most definitely excellent. Very easy to drink once the spirits calmed down. Went very nicely with dinner of steaks with porcini mushroom sauce and toasted pecan & garlic rice pilaf.

[Eric Menchen]

Sounds tasty all around.