1997 Quinta do Noval, Nacional, Port, Portugal

The 1997 Nacional is a legend from this pre-phylloxera vineyard. The colour is a saturated black/purple. The nose reveals floral scents intermixed with coffee, blackberries, tar, cassis, liquorice, and chocolate. 

Extremely full-bodied but less massive and seamless, this spectacular Nacional will reach its plateau of maturity quickly, where it will remain for 2-3 decades. 

Drink 2007 - 2040

Dark ruby with some violet colour. Black cherries and red cherries. Some spices. This is very powerful. It’s full and chewy with a depth and length that goes on for minutes. Really great. Tight at the end. Harmony and depth. Triumph. Surprise. If you want to drink this now, decant five or six hours before. 

Drink or hold

Blackish, very deep crimson with a crimson rim. Seems more evolved on the nose than the regular 1997 and with masses of rich sweet fruit in the forefront, although the tannins and the alcohol slightly impose on the finish. Very beguiling and dramatic. It would be very tempting to drink this now, but the second half of the tasting experience suggests one should keep it really quite a while!

Drink 2017 - 2070

The Quinta Do Noval Nacional 1997 has a fragrant bouquet that boasts more delineation than the Vintage Noval, although it demonstrates approximately the same degree of vigour. A fine mineral component on the nose with macerated dark cherries, hoisin, cigar box and dried fig seems to multiply exponentially with vigour. 

The palate is elegant on the entry with supple rounded tannins, well-judged acidity and purity, building gently in the mouth from its understated entry towards its peacock tail of mulberry, clove and raisin towards the finish. 

This is a step up from the 1994 Nacional, though if you want to split hairs, it does not possess the mind-boggling complexity of later vintages. However, it does purr with class. 

Drink 2014 - 2045