1994 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port
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Tasting notes
The first vintage under the AXA Millesime regime, but predating Christian Seely’s tenure, the 1994 Quinta do Noval Vintage has a conservative bouquet that is quite earthy with hints of game and leather. It has moderate definition, but conservative, and is missing the exuberance of its Nacional counterpart. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity and powdery tannins. There are touches of black pepper and game interwoven into the black fruit, while later burnt toast and tobacco surface. But the Noval ’94 does not “fly” like the Nacional, and instead settles for being an improvement on its nadir during the 1980s rather than exploiting that great Douro vintage. This drank so well until a few years ago, but now it looks to be in decline. Drink now-2018. Tasted January 2014.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
900 cases. Completely different colour from the earlier vintages – much deeper and bluer. Dark crimson with a very fine pale rim. Really intense and hidden and plump! Vigorous and spicy. Lots of sweetness and tannin. Not sure it's ethereal and delicate even if I suspect that's what Christian Seely is aiming for. But it does finish relatively dry. Kerpow! (JR)
Caused a lot of interest because it was Christian Seely's first vintage. Just 900 cases. The previous declaration was 5,000 cases of 1985. (There were also 3,000 cases of 1991.) More concentrated colour than the 1997 and rather bluer. Very opulent and rich. Fully resolved and lovely now. Quite hot on the end. (JR)
Deep garnet. Some red fruit still on the nose. Lots of spice but quite delicate and some deep orange notes. Very very smooth, velvety. Fresh, dry. Rich and sweeter tasting after the Nacional 1994. (JH)