NV Quinta do Noval Black Ruby Reserve Port

[Tim Swaback]

WOW! What a fantastic port. I had a bottle of this sitting for a week or so and decided to go back to the store I found it at and buy 3 more based on reviews here. I finally opened the bottle tonight and it is very very tasty.

The port is very dark/black with a purple rim. The taste is juicy and fresh and the alcohol is not overpowering at all. Very well balanced. I can taste all sorts of different flavors in there but its very hard to describe since I have only had a few ports so far. The taste lingers for quite a while almost creating a juicy thick "film" in the back of my throat which I have to swallow at a few times to get it down. Very Very enjoyable!

I only had a small glass to try this fresh tonight. The bottle is on the counter with the cork back in and I will give it another go tomorrow since I have heard that it improves for a few days.

[Roy Hersh]

Tim,

I for one, am very much interested in your follow up impressions. Fire away when you find the time, please.

[Tim Swaback]

Its a bit early (10:30) but I thought i would just try a sip of a glass that I forgot to finish last night. Things have definitely changed. Any alcohol taste/smell that was there 2 days ago is now gone. Whats left is a jammy and slightly spicy taste. The "Stick to the back of your throat" aspect has mellowed a little bit, I'm not really sure why this is, but its still there. Very very tasty.

I'm glad I bought 3 more bottles of this. The store I purchased them from has a 15% off discount for a case buy, so I'm seriously considering getting a case for around $200.

Still have 3/4 of the bottle left although its corked and in the fridge. I might just pour a glass each morning to have when I get home from work for the next week.

[Roy Hersh]

I have been doing wine judging for well over a decade. Some of the guys in these competitions have told me that the palate is most fresh in the morning and you may sense things that would escape your nose and palate in the evening.

I find that things like tannins really jump out and texture too, if Port is consumed or just tasted within an hour of brushing your teeth. FWIW.

[Andy Velebil]

Tim,
Thanks for the TN on this and I look forward to your thoughts on this in the coming days. As I've yet to have a bottle of this last more than 3 days

[Tim Swaback]

It is now day 5 on this bottle (in the fridge corked) and I think it has gone past its prime. The alcohol notes are much more prominent now and the berry/jam flavors have subsided and now seem hesitant to come out and play. Whats left now is still very drinkable in my opinion, its just lacking that thick juicy WOW factor that it had a few days ago. I think this bottle was best on day 3. I still have a glass left in the bottle that I might let sit for 2 days just to try it at a week out.