Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered
- 2021
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2009
This wine is a remarkable example of the Noval style. Treated exactly like a Vintage Port with only noble grape varieties from the Quinta, trodden by foot and unfiltered. Its main difference is that it is aged for five years in casks instead of the two years typical of Vintage Ports. Definitely an LBV with a difference, with fine structured tannins, great freshness and purity of fruit. It is delicious to drink today but will age beautifully in its bottle.
OUR DIFFERENCE
An unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage made only with grapes from our vineyard, trodden by foot in the Quinta do Noval "lagares".Characteristics of the vintage
The viticultural year began with a fairly wet winter followed by mild temperatures leading into spring. These two conditions led to an early budburst in March. April provided us with regular rainy spells that positively replenished the soil water reserves. Flowering occurred quite early in the beginning of May that led us to expect an early harvest. June was a difficult month, very hot and humid, where regular thunderstorms and hail affected the region, but fortunately spared Quinta do Noval.
July's mild weather started to shape the character of this harvest because it contrasted completely to last year's record setting temperatures during the same month. The mild conditions continued into August and led to a slow homogeneous ripening of the grapes and noticeably less dehydration than in 2020.Harvest
We started to harvest our red grapes on the 26th of August. The Port musts gave very attractive aromas. Then came a series of heavy rainfalls on the 2nd, 13th and 24th of September. We suspended the picking for three days after the first two rains to allow the grapes to resume their ripening. We observed a positive phenolic development in all the grape varieties as the sunny weather and mild temperatures kicked in for the rest of the month. The usual spike in sugar readings never really occurred so we stretched the harvest as far as possible to allow all of our plots to ripen. We finally finished picking on the 8th of October under clear skies and moderate temperatures.
Vinification
Grapes are trodden by foot to obtain the must, then they macerate in the lagares, the traditional stone vats from the Quinta, to ensure the best possible extraction of aromas, colour and polyphenolic compounds during fermentation.
Blend
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão predominate among the traditional grape varieties of the Demarcated Region of the Douro Valley. All the grapes come from the Quinta do Noval vineyard.
Maturing
The wine matures 5 years in oak casks instead of 2 years for a Classic Vintage. This explains its name, "Late Bottled Vintage". Longer maturing in casks helps provide a smoother wine and gives it its very approachable style, ready to drink as soon as it is bottled.
This unfiltered LBV from the harvest 2021 was bottled in February 2026.Tasting notes
This port shows a deep ruby in colour, with an intense nose of red berries and wild berries. Rich and elegant on the palate, with layers of ripe berry fruit, hints of dried fruit and gentle spice. Beautifully balanced, with velvety, well structured tannins and a long, refined and satisfying finish.
Carlos Agrellos - Technical director - August 2026Serving temperature
15-17°C
Wine Analyse
Alcohol content:
19.5% vol.
Residual sugar:
97g/l
Total acidity:
4.2g/l
pH:
3.64
