Vintages ports are only produced in years when the quality is deemed exceptional — and 2022 was exactly that in the Douro. In a year of extreme conditions with only 364 mm of rain—276 mm below average—and temperatures hitting 45.5°C, the vines remained healthy and avoided water stress and disease. Similar conditions were experienced in the great vintages of 2017 and 1945. As in these years, the 2022 demonstrated the remarkable resilience of the Douro’s terroir and varieties.
Here's what Christian Seely, MD of Quinta do Noval, says:
“We knew from the start that the Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 2022 was exceptional, and the wine has continued to develop wonderfully since the harvest, displaying the multi-layered complexity and depth that are typical of a great Nacional. Powerful and pure, it combines opulent richness, intensity and concentration with astonishing freshness.
The Quinta do Noval Vintage Port is, as always, a very strict selection of the very best wines of the year. The 2,600 cases produced represent just 6,6% of the total production of Port from Noval’s 155 hectares of vineyard. Particularly successful were the Touriga Nacionals and the field blend parcels, with also some excellent Touriga Francesa and Sousão. The 2022 is marked by great concentration and purity, profound, spicy and aromatic, a very typical expression of Noval’s terroir in an outstanding year for the property.
Quinta do Passadouro Vintage Port 2022 is the result of a rigorous selection. The blend is made from three small parcels in the Pinhão Valley and the resulting wine is strongly marked by Passadouro’s distinctive style, pure floral and aromatic, but with the richness of the 2022 vintage.”
