1962 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port
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Tasting notes
Good medium red. Mature, inviting aromas of currant, spices, dried flowers, mocha and brown sugar. Fat, sweet and reasonably full of life for a 50-year-old port but a bit lacking in shape and grip in spite of its very suave texture. With moderate concentration, the supple finish shows a slightly fiery quality. Drink now. My last bottle of this wine finished with more flavor authority and punch.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Amazingly, the importer still has tiny stocks of such legendary ports as the 1970, 1963, and 1962 Nacionals. In most vintages the production of Quinta do Noval Nacional is no more than 250-275 cases. The 1970,1963,1962 and 1994 are candidates to achieve perfect scores. Remarkably, the 1962 Nacional exhibited an even more opaque color than the 1970, as well as exquisite richness and concentration. Massive (but not in the Taylor style), this phenomenally concentrated, complex, still youthful vintage port is a tour de force in winemaking, and one of the greatest, can you believe this, young vintage ports I have ever tasted. This wine needs another 5-10 years to reach full maturity as neither the color nor aromatics reveal much development. It could easily have one-hundred years of longevity. Importer: William Grant & Sons, Edison, NJ; tel. (908) 225-9000
Very good for an undeclared vintage. Medium ruby, with intense strawberry aromas, medium-bodied, with silky, sweet fruit flavors and a medium finish. – James Suckling , Wine Spectator 1989
Amazingly, the importer still has tiny stocks of such legendary ports as the 1970, 1963, and 1962 Nacionals. In most vintages the production of Quinta do Noval Nacional is no more than 250-275 cases. The 1970,1963,1962 and 1994 are candidates to achieve perfect scores. Remarkably, the 1962 Nacional exhibited an even more opaque color than the 1970, as well as exquisite richness and concentration. Massive (but not in the Taylor style), this phenomenally concentrated, complex, still youthful vintage port is a tour de force in winemaking, and one of the greatest, can you believe this, young vintage ports I have ever tasted. This wine needs another 5-10 years to reach full maturity as neither the color nor aromatics reveal much development. It could easily have one-hundred years of longevity. Importer: William Grant & Sons, Edison, NJ; tel. (908) 225-9000 Wine Advocate.October, 1996