Quinta Nova LBV 2013
There are moments when our palate starts anticipating what is going to come with the first sip.
Having achieved 91 points by the Wine Enthusiast and being considered Best of the Year by one of my favourite wine critics, João Paulo Martins, the expectation I have created around this Port was enormous.
I know how dangerous it can be to create such sort of expectations, but there is also some beauty on it. After having got it home I felt again like a small child waiting for Christmas presents.
In order to exponentiate this experience, I have waited a couple of days to open it, having it strategically put in a table close to my dinner table. A constant guard both tempting and watching every step of mine.
As silly as this may sound, I have to confess that the moment of opening it has started being involved in some sort of special aura. When would it be the perfect moment for it?
After raising such expectations, I have finally decided to move forward in no specific date, making the day special just by opening it. The first impact of the complexity of aromas that came after uncorking it has almost doomed me. If the world is to come to an end, I would die happy, I thought, rather pathetically.
The first taste has completely answered my expectations: dark fruits with a delicate balance between sugar and alcohol. Nice velvety density with an incredible fruit bouquet with an almost perfect end.
During the last three weeks it has been a pleasure to see the maturation process that the wine has been through. Each day it is almost a new experience, always fulfilling perfectly the end of my evening.
It is definitely one of my highlights so far this year.
As a perfect literary match I would recommend some good old romantic like Byron. I know it is rather a cliché, but well, sometimes clichés do have to be used.
She walks in beauty, like the night
18,5 / 20
Country: Portugal
Region: Porto
Grapes: Old Vines (more than 30 traditional varieties)
19,4%
Winemaker: Jorge Alves
Website: https://www.quintanova.com/client/files/0000000001/1931.pdf
Having achieved 91 points by the Wine Enthusiast and being considered Best of the Year by one of my favourite wine critics, João Paulo Martins, the expectation I have created around this Port was enormous.
I know how dangerous it can be to create such sort of expectations, but there is also some beauty on it. After having got it home I felt again like a small child waiting for Christmas presents.
In order to exponentiate this experience, I have waited a couple of days to open it, having it strategically put in a table close to my dinner table. A constant guard both tempting and watching every step of mine.
As silly as this may sound, I have to confess that the moment of opening it has started being involved in some sort of special aura. When would it be the perfect moment for it?
After raising such expectations, I have finally decided to move forward in no specific date, making the day special just by opening it. The first impact of the complexity of aromas that came after uncorking it has almost doomed me. If the world is to come to an end, I would die happy, I thought, rather pathetically.
The first taste has completely answered my expectations: dark fruits with a delicate balance between sugar and alcohol. Nice velvety density with an incredible fruit bouquet with an almost perfect end.
During the last three weeks it has been a pleasure to see the maturation process that the wine has been through. Each day it is almost a new experience, always fulfilling perfectly the end of my evening.
It is definitely one of my highlights so far this year.
As a perfect literary match I would recommend some good old romantic like Byron. I know it is rather a cliché, but well, sometimes clichés do have to be used.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!18,5 / 20
Country: Portugal
Region: Porto
Grapes: Old Vines (more than 30 traditional varieties)
19,4%
Winemaker: Jorge Alves
Website: https://www.quintanova.com/client/files/0000000001/1931.pdf
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