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.
Wine Advocate Review:
The 1994 Quinta Do Noval Nacional is completely different to the regular Vintage Noval. The color is darker, the nose better defined and fresher, leaping from the glass with mineral-laden dark plum, boysenberry jam, orange blossom and star anis. The palate is more extravagant and intense than the Vintage Noval with baked cherries, pomegranate, black plum, white pepper and orange peel. It has a very cohesive finish that is suspended beautifully in the mouth. This elegant Nacional should age for another 30-40 years with style. There were just 190 cases produced – one of the smallest to date. Drink now-2040. Tasted January 2014.
