QUINTA DO NOVAL

Since AXA acquired Quinta do Noval in 1993, the estate’s 100 hectares of vineyards have been meticulously restructured and elevated, giving the house the confidence to declare Vintage Port with unusual regularity rather than waiting for the traditional seven-year cycle. Even so, the 2024 release feels particularly special - a wine of striking individuality and finesse. The aromatics are captivating from the outset, leaning less on sheer fruit weight and more on extraordinary floral complexity and freshness. Notes of lilac and violet unfurl alongside an intense blood orange character that gives the wine an almost electric citrus energy. There is also a fascinating bittersweet note reminiscent of Chinotto, adding another layer of intrigue and sophistication. All the fruit is crushed in traditional stone lagares, half foot-trodden and half mechanically trodden. Winemaker Carlos Agrellos worked with ten separate 'lots' this year from the vineyard, each bringing complementary elements to the final blend and allowing for exceptional detail and balance. The result is a Vintage Port of remarkable purity, composure and aromatic lift — powerful yet incredibly refined. Representing just 7.6% of Noval’s total Port production, this is a really impressive release. L&S (May 2026)