PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Quinta do Noval is genuinely one of the oldest and most respected Port houses in existence, unique among top producers for making most of its Ports from estate-grown fruit, with every vintage Noval wine sourced from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard itself. The estate is also home to Nacional, the legendary Port made from a six-acre parcel of ungrafted vines — when declared, only 200 to 300 cases are ever produced, instantly becoming among the most sought-after Ports in the world, with several vintages widely considered among the finest wines ever made, of any category.
Black is Christian Seely's own genuinely revolutionary rethinking of the super-premium, multivintage Port style, first introduced in New York in 2010, replacing Noval's earlier entry-level blend, LB. Built from classic Douro varieties that don't quite make the cut for the flagship Quinta do Noval vintage bottling, Black was deliberately designed to break away from the "stodgy vintage-character" category entirely — a Port meant to be enjoyed chilled, before dinner, after dinner, in cocktails, or alongside chocolate, at any time, not reserved solely for formal occasions. Since its introduction, Black has genuinely helped drive a broader resurgence of Port in cocktail culture. The bottle itself is custom-designed, striking, modern yet timeless — one retailer calls it "simply the most beautiful port bottle we've seen."
Wine & Spirits awarded 91 Points, describing "classic Noval notes of spicy red and blue fruits, orange blossom, cigar, tobacco, and candied mint" emerging from the wine, "round, supple, and full-bodied on the palate, with nicely balanced sugar, a layered yet elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish," concluding "this wine may become a staple for a new generation of Port drinkers." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate found "ripe blackberries, tar, smoke and orange liqueur on the nose that takes time to open," the palate "medium-bodied, very sleek on the entry," delivering "fleshy black fruits, sloe, spice and just a hint of white pepper, leading to a very focused finish." Quinta do Noval's own tasting notes describe the aromas as "purple-black" with flavors "pure black cherry," the acidity spicing "it up" and adding "to the juiciness of the finish," the wine "plump in the middle and supple all the way through, ending on fruit-skin tannin and a touch of chocolate from oak." This is genuinely well-crafted, versatile Port — real Noval pedigree behind a bottle built specifically to be enjoyed casually, on its own terms.
Quinta do Noval Black Port is produced by Quinta do Noval, one of the oldest and most respected Port houses in the Douro Valley, Portugal, where most of the estate's wines are made from estate-grown fruit sourced entirely from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard. Black was introduced by Christian Seely in New York in 2010, replacing the estate's earlier entry-level LB blend, built from classic Douro varieties selected from lots that don't make the cut for the flagship Quinta do Noval Vintage Port.
The wine is a non-vintage, multi-vintage blend, bottled in a distinctive custom-designed bottle. Bottled at approximately 20% ABV, 750ml.
Wine & Spirits — 91 Points:
"I always love this cuvée, which offers tons of character for a great price. Classic Noval notes of spicy red and blue fruits, orange blossom, cigar, tobacco, and candied mint emerge from the NV Black, and it's round, supple, and full-bodied on the palate, with nicely balanced sugar, a layered yet elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. At the level of many of the region's best LBVs, this wine may become a staple for a new generation of Port drinkers."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91 Points:
"'Black' is a new blend produced from classic varieties that do not make it into the Quinta do Noval vintage. There are ripe blackberries, tar, smoke and orange liqueur on the nose that takes time to open. The palate is medium-bodied, very sleek on the entry, fleshy black fruits, sloe, spice and just a hint of white pepper, leading to a very focused finish."
Quinta do Noval (official tasting note):
"Noval Black is a clear expression of the Noval style, which emphasizes the quality of the fruit. The aromas are purple-black while the flavors are pure black cherry. Acidity spices it up and adds to the juiciness of the finish. It's plump in the middle and supple all the way through, ending on fruit-skin tannin and a touch of chocolate from oak."
Nose
Ripe blackberry, tar, smoke, and orange liqueur lead, joined by spicy red and blue fruit, orange blossom, cigar, and tobacco, alongside candied mint.
Palate
Round, supple, and full-bodied, with pure black cherry and fleshy black fruit carrying the entry, developing sloe, spice, and a hint of white pepper, balanced by nicely integrated sugar.
Finish
Focused and juicy, closing with fruit-skin tannin and a touch of chocolate from oak — genuinely elegant and layered.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Multi-Vintage Port — Modern Style |
| ABV | ~20% |
| Blend | Classic Douro varieties (non-declared vintage lots) |
| Producer | Quinta do Noval — Douro Valley, Portugal |
| Introduced | 2010, by Christian Seely |
| Predecessor | Replaced Noval's earlier "LB" entry-level blend |
| Critics | Wine & Spirits 91 · Robert Parker's Wine Advocate reviewed |
| Style / Identity | A revolutionary, versatile modern Port — built to be enjoyed chilled, in cocktails, or any time, not just formally |
| Aromas & Flavors | Ripe blackberry, black cherry, tar, smoke, orange liqueur |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Chilled, on its own — the intended primary serve, genuinely refreshing before or after dinner.
Port cocktails — Black has genuinely helped popularize Port as a modern cocktail ingredient since its 2010 debut.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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