Quinta do Noval: Douro Red Reserva DOC 2016

Parker über: Douro Red Reserva DOC

-- Parker: The 2016 Reserva, rebranded from the former Estate Tinto with just Quinta do Noval on the label, is a blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 25% Touriga Franca and various others, all aged for ten months in French oak of varying ages (only 35% new). It comes in at 14% alcohol. A bit richer than the 2015 (also reviewed as the Tinto, the estate red), while maintaining the same tannic structure and fresh feel, this is also nicely textured with a wave of velvet up front. It maintains sophisticated and gorgeous mid-palate finesse too. This has the potential to be special, one of the best I've seen in the brand, if not the best table wine from Noval. To me, this has a bit better balance than the 2015. Carlos Agrellos said he preferred it, and he's right—if only by a little. The competition will be fierce over the next couple of decades, and that conclusion may change on these very powerful and very young wines. It is worth leaning up on this beauty's evaluation just now, but take note—that is for unrealized potential, and this was only in bottle for about two weeks when seen. It should age very well, by the way, but let's start here. At some point, it will need reevaluation. 95/100