Nacional 2020 Quinta do Noval

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (95)

The 2020 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It was bottled April 2, 2022, with 113 grams of residual sugar and 19.2% alcohol. Like its regular Vintage sibling in this report, this is on the sweeter side for Noval, although still well in normal range. This is pretty fine, but also like its sibling, probably not a true classic, considering the grandeur of this brand. And like its sibling, it also is simply delicious and irresistible, easy to drink on the younger side, for Noval. This does have more of a backbone than the regular bottling, though, and more upside potential in the cellar. With air, it quickly showed off the great fruit, tinged with a bit of red berries and eucalyptus. This is still a pretty fine Nacional, although not a great one, and it should develop well.

Winespectator (99)

A bird of a different feather, this shows remarkable purity for the vintage, along with a rippling tension that sets it completely apart. Delivers a mix of cassis, plum sauce and açaí berry compote on the fruit side, along with bramble, salted licorice, cast iron and bittersweet chocolate notes filling in throughout. Massively structured, too, and there's even a flash of violet at the very end -- which takes a while to get to. A special wine. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. Best from 2040 through 2070. 119 cases made.

BOW (9)