2000 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, Nacional

"Bright medium ruby. Utterly primary aromas of black cherry, licorice and violet are lifted by an impression of almost peppery acidity. Sharply delineated and extremely pure; less thick today than the young 2003 but then this is an infant and superbly balanced for decades of evolution in bottle. Finishes with a high pitch, the tannins spreading out to coat the teeth and the dark fruit flavors reverberating. Far from the richest vintage of the vertical tasting, but this beauty can safely be lost in your cellar for a couple decades. A splendid achievement in the context of the vintage." Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com"Bright medium ruby. Utterly primary aromas of black cherry, licorice and violet are lifted by an impression of almost peppery acidity. Sharply delineated and extremely pure; less thick today than the young 2003 but then this is an infant and superbly balanced for decades of evolution in bottle. Finishes with a high pitch, the tannins spreading out to coat the teeth and the dark fruit flavors reverberating. Far from the richest vintage of the vertical tasting, but this beauty can safely be lost in your cellar for a couple decades. A splendid achievement in the context of the vintage." Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com

"Blackish crimson with a little bit of development at the rim. Pretty racy nose with some ethereal character. Then wild and sweet with a note of cumin on the palate. Very different from the regular 2000. Still quite chewy on the end but only after a massive weight of sweet fruit." JancisRobinson.com"Blackish crimson with a little bit of development at the rim. Pretty racy nose with some ethereal character. Then wild and sweet with a note of cumin on the palate. Very different from the regular 2000. Still quite chewy on the end but only after a massive weight of sweet fruit." JancisRobinson.com

"Deep, red-black, youthful, lots of glycerol. Already real aromatic refinement here, with an enchanting perfumed blackcurrant style. A sense of much more to give yet...a massive attack of vigorous, deep, fiery berry fruits. Rich, tannin-saturated, multidimensioned, with magnificent integration of tannins and fruits, this is a colossally impressive wine. The really impressive thing is that you cannot get away from the enchantment of the fruit at this stage, yet you know that underneath there is all the extract and power to endure and endure and endure...Virtuoso stuff." Andrew Jefford, The World of Fine Wine, Issue 3, 2004"Deep, red-black, youthful, lots of glycerol. Already real aromatic refinement here, with an enchanting perfumed blackcurrant style. A sense of much more to give yet...a massive attack of vigorous, deep, fiery berry fruits. Rich, tannin-saturated, multidimensioned, with magnificent integration of tannins and fruits, this is a colossally impressive wine. The really impressive thing is that you cannot get away from the enchantment of the fruit at this stage, yet you know that underneath there is all the extract and power to endure and endure and endure...Virtuoso stuff." Andrew Jefford, The World of Fine Wine, Issue 3, 2004

"The Nacional 2000 is cut from a similar cloth to the Noval Vintage, and judging them side by side, there is a very similar fruit profile, but perhaps a little more delineation. The palate is pure class: sumptuous ripe black fruit, a wonderful thread of acidity, real structure and focus with a precise, elegant and penetrating finish. It mellows wonderfully in the glass, but never quite achieves the pulsating intensity of the Vintage Noval. This is a sublime Nacional, yet there is something that seems to cap its potential. This is a fine Port, but a mild disappointment considering the vintage and class. Drink now-2030. Tasted January 2014." Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #212"The Nacional 2000 is cut from a similar cloth to the Noval Vintage, and judging them side by side, there is a very similar fruit profile, but perhaps a little more delineation. The palate is pure class: sumptuous ripe black fruit, a wonderful thread of acidity, real structure and focus with a precise, elegant and penetrating finish. It mellows wonderfully in the glass, but never quite achieves the pulsating intensity of the Vintage Noval. This is a sublime Nacional, yet there is something that seems to cap its potential. This is a fine Port, but a mild disappointment considering the vintage and class. Drink now-2030. Tasted January 2014." Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #212