We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
js94
James Suckling – “Loads of crushed blackberries with black cherries, wild flowers and wet bark. Forest flower fruits. Medium-bodied, medium sweet with polished and very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Racy finish. Best after 2029 and beyond.” -jamessuckling.comm
About This Wine
In 2019, Quinta do Noval acquired a second estate in Portugal’s Douro Valley: Quinta do Passadouro. Quinta do Passadouro dates to the 18th century and has long been highly regarded for both its Port and table wines. The property is in the Cima Corgo sub-region, close to the village of Vale de Mendiz in the heart of the demarcated Douro region. Since 1991, the estate has been well run by the Bohrmann family (who also own a domaine in Meursault).
Passadouro is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz picked between 26th August and 8th October. The quinta’s vines range from 100 to 300 metres above sea level, requiring such a prolonged, multi-tiered harvest. Made in roughly the same fashion as Noval’s own Vintage Port, the style here—while also one of class and sophistication—is more medium-bodied, youthfully buoyant and immedicably approachable than the Noval.
In 2021, only 6.5% of Passadouro’s production was used to craft this wine. It was bottled in May 2023 with 88 g/L residual sugar. It’s a harmonious and appealing vintage with notes of violet, plum and hints of dark chocolate, lovely intensity without any heaviness and a surprisingly delicate and fresh finish. It’s the most accomplished Passadouro we have shipped—perhaps unsurprising as this is the first vintage fully controlled by the Noval team.This is the youngest of the Noval Tawnies with an age indication. It’s made from 50% estate fruit with the balance from A-grade producers in the heart of the Douro Valley. Alongside Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional and Sousão now enter the story. The grapes are foot-trodden and fermented in the traditional lagares of the Quinta. After fortification, the wine is moved to old oak barrels of 640 litres for aging.
| Type | Dessert, Sherry & Port |
|---|---|
| Varietal(s) | Touriga Nacional Touriga Francesa Tinto Cao Sousao Tinta Roriz |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Douro |
| Brand | Quinta do Noval |
| Vintage | 2021 |
Portuguese Wine
Portugal as a wine producing country is sometimes unfortunately overshadowed by its European neighbours, however, it has a long wine making history and the region’s popularity is growing as people start to take notice of its quality and unique character.
The country has a large array of native grape varietals which are used to produce an abundant variety of different wines. Nevertheless, the two most popular wines styles exported are from Vinho Verde and the Douro regions.
Douro is the home of Port wine, and the city of Oporto where the wine gets its name. It is one of the major rivers in Portugal, and with fertile soils around its banks, increased attention has also been given to the Douro region’s non fortified wine production in recent years. Full bodied and concentrated dry reds made from grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Spanish Tempranillo, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão are all worth a try.
Vinho Verde in the north of Portugal is responsible for producing effervescent, lively, and refreshing white wine that is increasingly becoming Portugal’s most famous. Perfect when served chilled on a hot day, it is known for zingy lime flavours, a sharp minerality and subtle grassiness. The wine is often a blend but will usually be predominantly based on Alvarinho grapes which gives it its unique character.
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