Critical Acclaim WS96Wine Spectator Full-bodied and medium sweet, with velvety tannins. Finish goes on and on. Layered and wonderful. Best after 2014. RP95Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The Quinta do Noval Vintage 2003 has a gorgeous raisin, fig and clove-scented bouquet with more freshness than the whole of Pomerol combined. As Christian Seely quipped, "the vines are accustomed to the heat". It unfolds in the glass, gaining vigor, if not complexity, with touches of leather, California raisin and dried flower emerging. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, dishing out lovely ripe and intense blackberry, leather, sage, tobacco and white- pepper notes. In this vintage, the Noval Vintage does not possess the breeding or the bravura of the Nacional and yet it remains a very impressive Port – a success for the vintage. Drink 2016-2030+.