Nacional 2001 Quinta do Noval

Classification	Cru Classe
Type	Fortified
Brand	Quinta do Noval
Vintage	2001
Country	Portugal
Region	Douro
Grape	Port Blend
Volume	0,75
Condition	Perfect
Label	Perfect
Drinkable	-2060
Stock	3

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (96)

The 2001 Vintage Port Nacional is a typical blend, mostly Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. Aged for 20 months in old barrels in Douro, it comes in with 19.3% alcohol and 76.8 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is a late release, declared in 2003 but just now about to hit the market. Christian Seely said: "[T]he 2001 was extremely backward and quite closed up, dense and very tannic. Since we had just declared and released the 2000 Nacional, we decided to lay down the 250 cases of Nacional 2001 ..." The late release has certainly tamed this. It still feels very firm and has a real backbone, but it is not overly drying and it is a lot more approachable than newly-released Nacionals can be. By day three, though, it was showing a bit more pure power and complexity--and it seemed far better.

Winespectator (97)

A very fruity aroma leads to concentrated flavors of raspberry, iron, fig, dark plum, slate and smoke. Refined and unctuous, with a deep well of molten chocolate. Long finish.

BOW (9.25)