PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s). 2017 Quinta do Noval Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Port 6 x 0.75L DESCRIPTION The name of Quinta do Noval first appeared in land registries in 1715. The history of Quinta do Noval is marked by the action of visionaries: António José da Silva, a port shipper from Porto, acquired Quinta do Noval in 1894, after its devastation by phylloxera. He restored the property by replanting the vines. Luiz Vasconcelos Porto, his son-in-law, was the author of a vast programme of innovations. He transformed many of the narrow older terraces into broader terraces. This permitted a more efficient use of the land and a better exposition to the sun. Quinta do Noval made its name with the declaration of the 1931 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port. Because of the global depression and the enormous production and shipment of the 1927 Vintage, most shippers did not declare the 1931. This success established Quinta do Noval among the great names of Vintage Port in the English and American markets, a leading position in terms of reputation which is maintained today. Since 1993, Quinta do Noval is part of the international viticultural group of AXA Millésimes. WINEMAKER: António Agrellos. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 92 pontos Robert Parker 17,5 pontos Revista de Vinhos 17,5 pontos Vinho Grandes Escolhas WINE VARIETIES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão & Sousão. HARVEST 2017 was characterised by a cold, dry winter followed by an exceptionally hot and dry spring and summer. Apart from heavy rainfall (25 mm) on 6 July at Quinta do Noval, only 300 mm of rain fell since November 2016. June was the hottest month since 1980, with temperatures reaching 42-44°C in the Douro Valley during a heat wave lasting from 7 to 24 June. Due to these extreme weather conditions, all phases of the vine's growth were 15 to 20 days early compared to 2016. The vines weathered the shortage of water and the high temperatures well. At the end of August the harvest looked very promising, with excellent sanitary conditions. Harvest started much earlier than usual due to the weather: from 17 August for the white wines and 21 August for the reds and the Ports, lasting until 28 September, with high temperatures and a total absence of rain. VINIFICATION Grapes were trodden by foot in the "lagares", the traditional stone vats from the Quinta, to obtain the must. Then they are macerated during fermentation to obtain the best possible extraction of the polyphenolic compounds. Fermentation lasted 3 days. An unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage made only with grapes from our vineyard, trodden by foot in the Quinta do Noval "lagares". The wine matures 5 years in Portuguese oak and Chestnut casks instead of 2 years for a Classic Vintage. This explains its name, "Late Bottled Vintage". Longer maturing in casks helps provide a smoother wine and gives it its very approachable style, ready to drink as soon as it is bottled. TASTING NOTES This wine is a remarkable example of the Noval style. Treated exactly like a Vintage Port with only noble grape varieties from the Quinta, trodden by foot and unfiltered. Its main difference is that it is aged for five years in casks instead of the two years typical of Vintage Ports. Definitely an LBV with a difference, with fine structured tannins, great freshness and purity of fruit. It is delicious to drink today but will age beautifully in its bottle. SERVING TEMPERATURE 15°-17°C