Just approaching early maturity, the 1996 Noval can be enjoyed today but probably will be even better if you are willing to wait another 20 years or so. A lovely deep red, the nose is dominated by a concentrated cherry liqueur aroma but complicated by barest hints of mint, roast chestnut and wax. On the palate, extremely complex showing a sweet fruit core but all sorts of secondary nuances that come and go for easily a minute or two after you’ve swallowed, finally fading to a tart, mineral finish. What a pleasure it is to open a Noval Nacional from time to time! Not sure I will buy more, but if I do, the ‘96 seems like a relative bargain. 95pts now, maybe 97 at peak someday.

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