Niepoort Vintage Port

Intense ruby in colour. An extremely elegant, unobtrusive bouquet with notes of lovage, dates, dried figs and dried strawberries, subtle hints of Szechuan pepper, chocolate and floral nuances. Exciting, fresh and balanced on the palate, with subtle tannin, lovely sweetness and a long, ethereal, savoury finish.

From schistous vineyards in the Cima Corgo, and vines 80-100 years, this magisterial vintage port blends Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Amarela, Sousão, Tinta Roriz and others. After foot treading in lagares, this aged 2 years in tonel, and was bottled in July 2021. Sultry ripe plums, boysenberry flood a structured palate, with a savoury medicinal thread running the length, and scrubby rockrose scenting. The sweetness is held at bay by the savoury schistous character, showing itself through the pure fruited core, and again on the lingering stony finish. Tannins are ample yet working with, not against, the youthful fruit, and the spirit is ideally placed as to not stick out at all. A slightly lighter, certainly savoury, serious port for the cellar.