“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

On some level, this old Greek proverb can be applied to Port. Particularly in Britain, where our historical and unique relationship with these wines mean that we are one of the few places that mature bottles are found undisturbed. You can vote or be sent to war at eighteen, but heaven forbid, don’t open an eighteen-year-old port!

We are blessed, as when great port does start to draw their pensions or has seen many of us out, there are new generations waiting to enjoy them at their peak. These five bottles are just that. There are many great houses, but only one unique vineyard, Nacional.

As Quinta do Noval says, ‘"Nacional" refers to the fact that the vines are Portuguese vines growing in Portuguese soil with no foreign root stock and are therefore "attached to the soil of the Nation"’.

A declared vintage at Nacional does not always follow the rest of Porto, but 1966 was a sensational vintage and was widely released.

I don't always listen to old notes from professional critics for wines of this age, as it is much better to focus on more recent tasting notes from keen and encyclopaedic amateurs. These include:

“Layers of fig, raisins, chocolate covered cherries and Cointreau with liquorice, the nose clearly rocks. Full-bodied, lusciously textured and rich, the wine leaves you with a massive wave of warm, sweet, cherry, dark chocolate and raisin liqueur. The finish goes on and on. A true, Port lover’s dream”

“An extraordinary port that is still youthful although reaching maturity. The nose is full of scents like cherry/chocolate, Cuban tobacco and violets. On the palate, it is so perfectly balanced with a clear beginning, middle and end. There are layers of flavours ranging from coffee to bitter chocolate to floral violets and the finish is so supremely satisfying in its complexity. The most extraordinary Port I've ever tasted, and it should continue to improve for perhaps decades.”

Dreweatts is honoured to be able to offer five bottles of this extraordinary vintage in our Fine Wine, Champagne, Vintage Port and Spirits auction. The sale also includes a bottle of vintage port from Quinta do Noval, from 1966 (Lot 18).

Auction Details

This is a live online auction with an auctioneer. The auction will take place on Wednesday 30 September (starting at 10.30am BST) at Dreweatts Newbury, but please note all wine and spirits are stored off-site at LCB Eton Park. Bidding is available online, by telephone, by commission bids or in person at Dreweatts. Please contact Dreweatts to register all commission bids or telephone bids by 12 noon BST the day before the sale.

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