Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2017

Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2017 is a single-quinta vintage port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 19.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 98 points by Wine Spectator and ranked #53 on their Top 100 list, this vintage stands among the most acclaimed declarations from one of port's most historic estates.

Quick Facts: ABV: 19.5%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  2017 Vintage Declaration  |  Producer: Quinta do Noval (est. 1715)

Production & Heritage

Quinta do Noval has produced port since 1715 and occupies a singular position among top houses: nearly all of its wines come from estate-grown fruit, and every declared vintage port is sourced exclusively from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard in the Douro. The 2017 is a field blend built primarily around Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, and Sousão — traditional Douro varieties that contribute structure, perfume, and depth in different proportions. After fermentation, the wine aged for 18 months in old wood vats before bottling, a regimen that preserves the concentrated fruit character of the vintage while allowing early structural integration.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated cassis and bilberry jam, then unfolds into pressed violets, orange blossom, and a distinctive eucalyptus lift. Crushed stone minerality and quince add complexity as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is saturated with crème de cassis and liquid blackberry, joined immediately by blueberry, açaí berry, and boysenberry at mid-palate. The tannins are fine-grained and fully saturated — structured yet polished — with herbes de Provence, spicy wood, licorice, and Asian spice emerging toward the peak. Despite its power, the wine maintains purity and precision throughout.

Finish: Long and detailed, with lingering dark fruit, salted licorice, baker's chocolate, and a persistent tar-like depth. The floral and mineral threads carry through, giving the finish both sweetness and gravitas.

How to Drink Noval 2017

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C (61–64°F) — in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromatics. This is a port built for contemplative sipping on its own, though it pairs powerfully with rich foods. A Port Cobbler (shaken with orange and seasonal berries over crushed ice) showcases the wine's fruit intensity in a refreshing format. A Porto Tonico — port lengthened with quality tonic water and citrus — makes an elegant low-effort aperitif that highlights the cassis and floral notes. For a classic after-dinner serve, use it in a Port Flip with egg yolk and nutmeg, where the wine's dense berry core and spice stand up to the richness.

Best For

• Laying down in a cellar for 20–40 years of development
• Marking a milestone vintage year — births, weddings, or achievements from 2017
• Gifting a serious port or wine collector
• Anchoring a vintage port tasting alongside other 2017 declarations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Noval 2017 taste like? It delivers concentrated cassis, blackberry, and blueberry layered with violets, licorice, herbes de Provence, and Asian spice, supported by fine, saturated tannins. A dark undercurrent of tar and baker's chocolate adds depth without heaviness.

How does Noval 2017 compare to Taylor Fladgate 2017 Vintage Port? Taylor Fladgate 2017 is widely considered a formidable competitor in the same vintage, and typically sits at a lower price point than Noval. Noval distinguishes itself through its single-estate sourcing and a more overtly floral, perfumed aromatic profile, while Taylor tends toward broader, more powerfully structured fruit.

Is Noval 2017 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its combination of fruit intensity, structural refinement, and aromatic complexity makes it one of the most rewarding vintage ports to drink on its own, now or after decades of cellaring.

Where is Noval 2017 made? It is produced entirely at Quinta do Noval, an estate in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal that has been making port since 1715. All fruit for the vintage declaration comes from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard.

What foods pair well with Noval 2017? Dark chocolate truffles or a flourless chocolate cake mirror the wine's cassis and baker's chocolate notes. Stilton or Roquefort blue cheese creates a classic sweet-salt contrast. Grilled lamb with rosemary echoes the herbes de Provence character. Crème brûlée pairs well with the wine's fruit sweetness and spice. Dried fig and walnut tarts complement the concentrated dark fruit.

What sizes does Noval 2017 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for vintage port declarations.

Is Noval 2017 worth the price? Noval 2017 positions as a premium vintage port backed by 98 points from Wine Spectator and 97 points from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and James Suckling. For a single-estate vintage port with this level of critical consensus and long-term aging potential, it represents strong value within the top tier of declared ports.

Why Noval 2017?

The 98-point Wine Spectator score places this among the highest-rated ports of the 2017 declaration, further validated by 97 points from Wine Advocate, James Suckling, and Jeb Dunnuck — a rare four-way consensus at this level. What separates Noval from most elite port houses is its commitment to single-estate production: every bottle traces to one vineyard, making it a genuine expression of a specific place in a specific year. The 2017 vintage in the Douro delivered the concentration and structure needed for a serious declaration, and Noval captured it with a wine that balances power, perfume, and precision. For collectors and serious port drinkers, this is a benchmark release from an estate with over three centuries of history.