It is always a privilege to taste three successive bottlings of Nacional in one sitting. I was very grateful to have this opportunity, thanks to Don Schliff and Christian Seely. Dark magenta color with full opacity. The 2017 Noval Nacional has loads of fresh floral scents along with blueberry and grenadine notes, a touch of anise, pepper and rock rose. Additionally, there was the same prominent smell that hits you as soon as you walk into any quinta’s lagar room: pure crushed grapes. Seemingly drier than its 99g/l would suggest, this opulent young Port was packed with rhubarb, blueberry, underripe plum, and spicy licorice flavors. The drier soft edge of the juicy fruit was bolstered by vibrant acidity and powerful underlying tannins. Seductive and fresh, the velvety texture was sublime, and the finish long and powerful. This magnificent young Nacional was consistent with my impressions last November. It’s likely to reach its peak two decades after the mid-point of the century, when the fruit and tannins have fully integrated. 200 cases produced. | 96+