Quinta do Noval - Reserva 2016

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Reserva 2016, renamed from the former Estate Tinto with only Quinta do Noval on the label, is a blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca and other minority varieties, all aged for ten months in multi-wine French oak barrels (only 35% new). It has an alcohol content of 14%. Slightly richer than the 2015 (also reviewed as Tinto, the estate's red), while retaining the same tannic structure and a sense of freshness, it's also nicely textured with the sensation of a velvety wave on the palate. It also retains a sophisticated, magnificent mid-palate finesse. It has outstanding potential, one of the best I know of the estate, if not the best Noval table wine. For me, the balance is slightly better than the 2015. Carlos Agrellos has said he prefers it, and he's right - if only by a little. Competition will be fierce over the next two decades, and that conclusion may change on these very powerful wines in their youth. It's worth looking back to evaluate this beauty in a while, but take note - this is for unrealized potential as it had only been in bottle for about two weeks. It should age very well. At some point, it will need to be renoted.

James Suckling

About the wine:

It has a broad palette of ripe dark berries on the palate, with tannins that add chewiness. Still needs bottle ageing. Try it from 2024.