Nacional Vintage Port
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2017
- 2016
- 2011
- 2004
The Nacional parcel is a small area at the heart of the Quinta do Noval vineyard planted with ungrafted vines and untouched by phylloxera. The word "Nacional" refers to the fact that the vines are Portuguese vines growing in Portuguese soil with no foreign root stock, and are therefore "attached to the soil of the Nation". This great wine is a source of pride to the people of Portugal, and at its best the finest expression of the extraordinary terroir of Quinta do Noval.
The Nacional is a unique and extraordinary phenomenon. It does not necessarily follow the same rhythm as the rest of the Quinta do Noval. In some years a Nacional is produced when Noval does not even declare the Quinta do Noval Vintage. In others, Quinta do Noval makes a great Vintage Port, and the Nacional does not perform. More often, we are able to make both a Quinta do Noval Vintage and a Nacional Vintage. But when this happens, the wines are always profoundly different.Characteristics of the vintage
2022 will stand out as a remarkably dry year with unprecedented weather conditions in our region. So extraordinary were these conditions that even our oldest and most seasoned vineyard workers could not remember ever having experienced anything similar. Nonetheless, this growing season also showed the remarkable resilience of the Douro's vineyards and grape varieties.
The rainfall recorded at Quinta do Noval during the viticultural year was 364mm, 276mm below the 1970/2000 average. The weather conditions were favourable during flowering in May and during fruit set. With a high number of bunches, a good harvest was expected.
From the 7th to the 15th of July a heatwave brought daily temperatures above 40°C, even reaching 45,5°C at Quinta do Noval - and it was on July 15th that Pinhão recorded Portugal's highest ever temperature at 47°C. From July 30th to August 10th, we experienced another heatwave with temperatures above 40°C.
The high temperatures, combined with low relative humidity, contributed greatly to the optimum health of the grapes. We experienced very little vine related diseases and most plots were surprisingly green and free from water stress. The low disease pressure was clearly verified by the small amount of eliminated bunches at grape sorting in our wineries during harvest, and it also translated into more wine produced.
On August 25th we were already harvesting red grapes for Port and red dry wines. Treading grapes for Port in August is most unusual. The dry conditions throughout the season along with low water reserves restricted the vine's growth which in turn produced smaller bunches with small berries. The wines have excellent colour with perfectly ripe fruit on the nose.
Rain between the 12th and 14th of September (28.4mm) caused a sharp drop in temperatures and improved the final ripening of the grapes. We decided to pause the harvest, giving the grapes a few days to dry, improve phenolic ripening and gain more sugars. The Nacional parcel was harvested on September 18th.
The harvest lasted 37 days and finished on September 27th. The total grape production at Quinta do Noval was 705 pipes, down 5% from 2021.Tasting notes
Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 2022 is characterised by outstanding power, structure and purity. It reveals beautiful aromas such as sweet dark fruits alongside bold, savory, spicy earthy tones. It's fresh and vibrant, with a touch of mint and liquorice. The palate is rich and opulent, showcasing delightful sweet fruits. There's an astonishing freshness present. It's beautifully pure and concentrated, with outstanding fruit clarity and structure. The palate bursts with super-concentrated, dense, and pure blackberry fruit. Its incredible intensity, tannic expression and depth are remarkable.
Carlos Agrellos, Technical Director (April 2024)Grape varieties
100% Field Blend
It is produced using several grape varieties and not just from Touriga Nacional, as its name might suggest. These varieties are some of the noblest to be found in the Douro valley: Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Touriga Nacional, Sousão and Tinta Roriz.Vinification
The wine is made in the same way as all the other grapes from the Quinta do Noval vineyard. Grapes are trodden by foot to obtain the must, then during fermentation to obtain the best possible extraction in the lagares, the traditional stone vats from the Quinta.
Maturing
Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port is aged for 18 months in oak and chestnut wood casks, with a capacity of 2500 litres.
Serving temperature
15°C-17°C
Wine analyses
Álcool: 19.5%
Açúcares totais: 85g/l
Acidez Total: 4.6g/l
pH: 3.67
