Quinta do Noval Vintage Nacional 2001 com embalagem

THE TERROIR
A small plot of freestanding vines, in the heart of the Quinta do Noval vineyard, untouched by phylloxera. The word “Nacional” refers to the fact that these vines are Portuguese vines growing in Portuguese soil, without American rootstock, and therefore directly “rooted in the soil of the Nation”. This great wine is a source of pride for all Portuguese people and, when at its best, is the highest expression of the extraordinary terroir of Quinta do Noval.

HARVEST CONDITIONS IN 2001

The first half of the viticultural year was marked by 5 months of intense rains that posed some challenges to the vineyard but had the positive effect of replenishing water reserves in the soil. Bud break occurred earlier than usual in March due to mild winter temperatures. The cool spring brought flowering in May, as usual, in good condition. A heat wave in June reduced the
harvest but the rest of the summer was pleasant and favorable for ripening, so that the grapes reached high levels of maturation. The harvest at Quinta do Noval began on the 21st of September under ideal weather conditions, sunny days and cool nights. 2001 was a year of generous and good quality production, which resulted in wines full of colour, with a magnificent bouquet and excellent structure.

TASTING NOTES The 2001 Vintage Nacional is strongly marked by the distinct personality of the Nacional vineyard. Exciting to drink now, it will evolve beautifully for over half a century. With a deep and intense ruby ​​color, the nose is intensely spiced with aromas of vibrant fruit with hints of cassis, blackcurrant and licorice. Full-bodied and remarkably fresh, it has an intense and concentrated fruit flavor, well-integrated tannins and a long, luxuriant finish.

2001 DECLARATION The National Vintage is a unique and extraordinary phenomenon. No
necessarily follows the same rhythm as the rest of Quinta do Noval. There are years when a great National is produced without Noval declaring the Quinta do Noval Vintage, and this was the case in 2001. There are other years when Quinta do Noval declares a great Vintage but does not declare the National, as happened for example in 2007. And then there are years, like 2011, in which both the Nacional vineyard and the other
The Quinta's vineyards produce extraordinary but totally distinctive Vintage Ports.

VINIFICATION The grapes were placed in a small traditional winepress on the Quinta and the treading was carried out by foot by a group of 6 men for 3 hours. Fermentation took place under a temperature control of between 25° to 28°C.

MATURATION The Vintage Nacional was aged for 20 months in old wooden barrels before bottling, in the Quinta's acclimatized warehouses, in the Demarcated region of the Douro Valley.