Quinta do Noval Declares 2013 A Vintage

Quinta do Noval, a famed Port producer from Portugal’s Douro Valley, in a rare move has declared the year 2013 a vintage despite small quantities and a wet harvesting season.

In general, there’s no law regulating declaration of Port vintage, but it is declared from time to time mostly when all the other Port houses decide to do so, usually three to four vintages in a decade. The last three fully declared vintages are 2011, 2007 and 2003.

Speaking of the declaration, Christian Seely, Managing Director of the winery, explains, “I think that if ever I have even a very small quantity of outstanding wine that is of Quinta do Noval quality, then I should declare it.” And the ultimate criteria is based on “whether a wine made that year from our vineyard has the quality and the personality of a Quinta do Noval Vintage Port,” he continues. 

For the vintage, the wines that made into the blend were harvested very early before the rain came down, mainly from the warmer parts of the vineyard. The quality of outstanding wines from the early harvest, however, was small and the final blend for the vintage represents only three percent of the total production of the Quinta, he adds. 

But Noval’s efforts are eventually paying off. Calling Noval’s audacious declaration a right decision by James, the wine reminds James of the excellent but forgotten Noval 1967. You can click here to check James’ tasting note and score of its 2013 vintage. 

-NW