Top Douro Reds from Quinta do Noval - The top reds

'I have ambitions for Quinta do Noval to become one of the great red wines of the world,' AXA wine boss Christian Seely told us at the start of a vertical of the still red wines he's been producing at Noval since 1996, a radical move then for the Douro. The growth of still reds 'will focus attention on a great terroir - something which doesn’t happen with Port', Seely said. Syrah was introduced - about 40% of it - into the blend of the second wine, Cedro do Noval in 2006. The idea is to make the wine 'smoother and rounder', he said. Does he think the Cedro loses some of its typicity and character with the addition of Syrah? 'I hope it doesn't make it more international because that is not the aim.'