Vintage Vantage

In a rare move, renowned Douro Valley port producer Quinta do Noval declared the year 2013 a port vintage despite Portugal’s wet harvest season and a small output. There’s no law regulating port vintages, but they’re generally declared when most of the port houses agree, usually three to four vintages in a decade. The three most recent fully declared vintages are 2011, 2007 and 2003. Quinta do Noval managing director Christian Seely said in explaining the decision, “I think that if ever I have even a very small quantity of outstanding wine that is of Quinta do Noval quality, then I should declare it.” And the ultimate criteria “is whether a wine made that year from our vineyard has the quality and the personality of a Quinta do Noval Vintage Port.” How good is the 2013 Quinta do Noval? 94 points