2017 Quinta do Noval, Nacional, Port, Portugal

Harvested quite early on 15th September, Christian Seely describes this as ‘one of the greatest Nacionals we have ever produced’. Still closed in on the nose but with an intense vinous purity and definition that would be hard to match. Beautifully defined and wonderfully fresh, wild berry with great poise and finesse, tight-knit tannins rising in the mouth, structured, massively powerful on the finish yet so very elegant too. Perfect Port!Drink 2038 - 2080Richard Mayson, Decanter (June 2022)

The 2017 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in at 99 grams of residual sugar and was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in wooden vats. In 2016, I might've made an argument that the regular Noval was better. In this vintage, this seems to be a clear choice, granting that Ports change constantly in their youth. Its siblings at all levels in the last few vintages are very fine, but this is an indisputable benchmark that seems to better them all. Rich and vibrant, this has plenty of stuffing and flavor, more than the regular Noval. Then, it adds layer after layer of power. A couple of hours of air makes both the flavors and tannins more intense. It is simply gripping—yet also remarkably fresh. It's a great Noval, and one of the shortlist candidates for "Wine of the Vintage." There were 200 cases produced.Drink 2035 - 2085Mark Squires, Wine Advocate (July 2019)

Ungrafted vines. Same winemaking as for the straight Quinta do Noval. TA 4.68 g/l, RS 99 g/l, pH 3.51.Black core with wide purple rim. Less exuberant than the Noval at the moment, less sweet-smelling and scented but it has immediate elegance and purity, almost subtle in this context. Opening up to bergamot and tea leaf. So concentrated it is all tight and closed up even though you can see it is rich and packed with fine black fruit. Spicy, tangy and mouth-watering. Outstanding length and promise.Drink 2037 - 2070julia_harding MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2019)

The 2017 Nacional has an ethereal bouquet that takes time to unfold but delivers the same dazzling complexity as the last time I tasted it. Black fruit, graphite and pressed flower, perhaps a little more compact than you would expect, so perchance it is just closing down a tad. Excellent cohesion on the palate, spicy and peppery, a crescendo of flavours leading towards its bravura finish. The 2017 delivers, but it's a Port not for the faint-hearted. This is the "Wagner of Quinta do Noval"! Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.Drink 2033 - 2100Neil Martin, Vinous.com (June 2022)

This is very primary with lots of blackberries, blueberries, and bark. Medium to full body. Medium tannins and a long, linear finish with tight and very fine tannins that last for minutes. Chewy and balanced. Give this eight to 10 years or after 2030.james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (January 2023)