The red Touriga Nacional grape variety enjoys the highest reputation in Portugal. It tolerates the heat of the country very well and still produces fresh and structured wines, and it doesn't bother it if it doesn't rain for weeks. Since it is one of the noblest vines in the world, Quinta do Noval bottles a varietal dry variant that has considerable storage potential.
The 2019 vintage in Europe was very warm and far too dry. Surprisingly, the Douro Valley was spared from these heat waves, which led to the perfect ripeness of the grapes and a markedly structured and intense Touriga Nacional vintage at Quinta do Noval. The aging lasted twelve months, one third of the French barriques used were new, which left a noticeable oak note in this wine.
The 2019 Noval Touriga Nacional has a very dark color that already hints at the power that will follow on the palate. The intense and open scent is reminiscent of ripe dark berries, vanilla, herbs and cocoa. A lot happens on the palate. The wine fills, almost papers the mouth, but is never plump, always offering structure and freshness to balance the abundant concentration. You can tell that experts were at work here.
