40 Year Old Tawny Port by Quinta do Noval

[Andy Velebil]

40 Year Old Tawny Port by Quinta do Noval

Bottled 2006. What I noticed first, and how could I miss it, was the massive wave of spices on the nose. What a treat to old honker. While there was plenty going on the palate, it just didn’t seem to stand out all that much from the 20-year-old version. I also thought the 20 year old had a slightly longer finish too. While I’d never turn a glass of this down, I thought the 20-year to be ever so slightly better. Then again, these weren’t decanted so that may have played a small role. I’ve had this before and it’s shown better. 90-91 points.

[Glenn E.]

Geez Andy, what'd you do open your entire order at once?

[Andy Velebil]

No these were from an earlier tasting. But figured it was good timing to finally write them up and post them. Takes these scores with a grain of salt though, as the bottles were popped and poured and they didn't show as good as others I've had in the past.

[Roy Hersh]

David, Eric Ifune and I sat and sipped this and can say that all 3 of us were really very fond of this and even stingy Spriggs, would be in a considerably higher point range than that. Something doesn't sound right, this was a spectular bottle we had or one that may not have shown great that you tried. Don't know which but I was pretty darn impressed by the Noval 40. We'll learn in July exactly which is better ... this or the Kopke. I only wish we could put other 40 year olds into the blind tasting like Sandeman etc.

Roy

[Andy Velebil]

Yes, I've had it before and it was far better. Like I said all these were literally popped and poured and consumed literally within minutes. So there wasn't a lot of time for them to show their stuff and why I said

Take these scores with a grain of salt though,

I know from prior experience these could and do show better.

But as the old saying goes, Some bottles are better than others

[David Spriggs]

I loved the Noval 40 that we had at the Pestana Porto. I believe I rated it 95 points. One of the best Ports of the whole trip. I found it very unlike the Noval Colheitas - which I also like. The style is completely different.
-Dave-