2022 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port - Douro

A young Vintage Port from the hot 2022 Douro vintage

The 2022 harvest year will long be remembered in Portugal for its exceptional heat and drought. In the Douro region as well, this presented winemakers with difficult choices. When do you harvest the grapes, and how do you preserve enough freshness alongside the ripe fruit? The Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2022 is an interesting expression of that challenging year, from a house with a long history in the region.

The Story of the Vintage

Quinta do Noval is located near Pinhão and was first mentioned as early as 1715. The winery is known for its steep vineyards and for Vintage Ports that can age for many years. In 2022, the warm growing season played a significant role. High ripeness can yield great concentration, but the challenge is to also preserve tension and structure.

Vintage Port is bottled after a relatively short period in cask. It then continues to age in the bottle. Those who open this wine young will primarily discover its fruitiness and robust structure. Those who are patient can observe how the tannins soften and new aromas emerge. A stable, cool storage area remains more important than predicting the exact moment to drink it.

Aroma and taste

Expect dark fruits such as black currants and plums, complemented by floral and spicy notes. The flavor is concentrated, with distinct tannins and a crisp, refreshing finish. That interplay is what makes a young Vintage Port so captivating, even when it still has many years ahead of it.

Serving and Pairing

Serve at around 16–18 degrees Celsius. With young Vintage Port, a little aeration can help bring out the aromas. Pair with dark chocolate or a strong blue cheese, or try a small glass to get a sense of how this vintage is developing.

Discover more

Discover Our Porto Selection and check out Other Vintage Ports.