Quinta do Noval Colheita Port 2007

Profile & Story

Quinta do Noval's name first appears in Douro land registries in 1715. The estate was acquired and replanted after phylloxera by António José da Silva in 1894 and made its name internationally with the celebrated 1931 vintage declaration; it has been part of the AXA Millésimes group since 1993. Colheita is a rare Port, produced in small quantities as a dated Tawny. In exceptional years, certain lots with strong ageing potential are set aside to age in cask rather than be blended for a non-vintage Tawny; when the house judges the wine ready — usually after about fifteen years — a portion is bottled and released, with the remaining stocks continuing to age in barrel for future bottlings. This 2007 Colheita was trodden by foot and fermented in the estate's traditional lagares before ageing in old 640-liter casks called cascos until bottling; it was first released in 2021. The 2007 growing season was marked by abundant winter rain followed by a relatively mild, sunny summer with cool nights, giving slow, even ripening; with the exception of two rainy days near the end of September, harvest took place in fine weather, and the resulting Ports showed exceptional balance, richness, and grip.