2003 Quinta Do Noval Vintage Port Half-Bottle

96 Point Standout From The Decade’s Top Vintage

Historically, just two or three growing seasons per decade are “declared” for vintage Port. In the first 10 years of the new millennium, just three made the cut. 2000 offered up rich, ripe, powerfully structured wines. 2007 was also excellent, but more refined and elegant. But the most monumental and impressive vintage of the decade was 2003—earning 98 points from Wine Spectator.

Summers in Portugal’s Douro Valley are hot and dry. As the vines are dry-farmed, the greatest Port vintages are born out of wet winters, allowing vines to quench their thirst in the substrata in July and August.  

2003 was one of the wettest winters in recent history, followed by a dry, torrid summer. The old vines of world-class Quinta do Noval rode the climatic see-saw. At harvest, António Agrellos told us that natural sugars were “off the charts,” but acids remained brisk, making for a 2003 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port that wowed Parker, Jancis Robinson MW, and Wine Spectator!

Ruby/black to the edge. Sweet aromas of black currant and licorice, tinged with violets and coffee. Massive, dense, sweet and supple, with phenomenal fruit purity, finishing with dusty, suave tannins. Popping the cork on a 750ml bottle this early in its evolution would be a tragedy. But out of half-bottles, the 2003 Quinta do Noval is stunning right out of the gate, even it would much appreciate a decade or TWO of cellar slumber.

96 points from Wine Spectator. 95 from Parker. 18 out of 20 from Robinson. 280 HALF BOTTLES are up for grabs. $60 on release. Just $49.99 today—for the finest vintage Port of 2003. Order now for holiday delivery.