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Porto 20 Yrs Old Tawny NV 75cl

DOC | Porto | Douro | Portugal
CHF 74.60

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NV
Critics scores
93 Robert Parker
The NV 20 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2016 with a bar-top cork and 132 grams per liter of residual sugar. Gloriously fresh and completely alive, this adds an extra layer of depth and concentration of flavor to the 10 Year Old, of course, but that's not the main attraction here. This has all of Noval's typical grace and elegance while the complexity level is nicely above average. Then, its bright demeanor makes its fruit lifted and drives the medley of flavors home. It persists nicely, becoming something to contemplate as well as enjoy. This is a bit on the pricey side for a 20, at least judging from the list price, but it was also one of my favorites here. I don't want to be a broken record, but remember that aged tawnies should be drunk a bit cool. This was brilliant around 58-60 degrees Fahrenheit, boring around 72.<br/>The last time I saw Noval's age-indicated tawnies, I was very impressed. Nothing has changed my mind. These are among my favorites—concentrated, classic and focused. The longer they sit in barrel, the longer they can be held, but wines with bar-top corks are not meant to be held, so dive in. They certainly don't need to be aged. Remember also: no aged tawny should be drunk anywhere near room temperature. Take it out of the fridge and let it warm in the glass. Try it at different places. See what you like best. Most would suggest that 58-62 degrees Fahrenheit will be the sweet spot, depending on the wine and your taste. Finally, the others are pretty fine, too. For a young Colheita, that 2003 has a lot of pop and concentration.
Producer
Quinta Do Noval
Quinta do Noval is responsible for the most famous of all Vintage Ports – Naçional. The roots of this estate can be traced back to the early 1700s, however with the pestilence of the late 1800s – Noval, instead of grafting the vines on American rootstocks, they miraculously managed to keep Portuguese stock – hence their unique “Naçional” wine. Today, under the direction of Christian Seely of insurance firm, AXA – Millésimes, the Port house has thrived like their similarly owned prestigious Bordeaux châteaux, such as Pichon-Longueville. Ideally situated in the heart of the Douro Valley, Quinta do Noval is the only historic Port producer that shares the same name as its vineyard. The steep hillsides are planted to the noble grape varieties of the region – the grapes flourish, producing high-grade fruit. Led by António Agrellos, the brilliant technical director, Naçional is an expansive Port, the power and depth of this wine is matched by the Portuguese earthy, spicy dark flesh characteristics that demand twenty of more years to develop.