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Tasting note
- Colour & appearance
- Cherry red with a bright rim – youthful and clear despite its years in bottle.
- Nose
- Finely delineated and cool in expression: dark berries, accompanied by dark chocolate and an earthy, mineral note reminiscent of the warm schist of the Douro. The interplay between vibrant freshness and gentle alcoholic warmth is particularly appealing.
- Palate
- Ripe, dark fruit meets stimulating spice. The tannins are fine, the texture velvety, the mouthfeel supple. There is density and concentration, yes – yet without any heaviness. Sweetness and alcohol remain discreetly in the background.
- Finish
- Long and balanced, with a hint of raisin that lingers persistently.
- Terroir & origin
- The grapes come from old field blends (“Vinha Velha”) in the steep vineyards of the Douro, whose terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Niepoort cultivates sites there such as Quinta de Nápoles, with vines up to 100 years old. The schist stores heat during the day and releases it at night, whilst the steep slopes drive the roots deep into the rock.
- Grape varieties & vinification
- A blend of indigenous varieties: Touriga Franca, Tempranillo (Tinta Roriz) and Tinto Cão. Dirk Niepoort has radically reinvented his traditional Port house: organic viticulture (since 1999), hand harvesting, traditional foot treading in granite lagares – the Ports mature in the cool cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Food recommendations
- Classically paired with pungent blue cheese such as Stilton, magnificent with dark chocolate or a chocolate cake. A plate of walnuts and dates also makes for a perfect end to the evening.
- Special characteristics
- What sets this wine apart is its lightness within its power: a Vintage Port from old vines which, despite 20 per cent alcohol and its lusciously sweet character, comes across as cool and precise – the antithesis of heavy, weighty Ports. From Niepoort’s Bioma line, with which the house set new benchmarks; in 2024, Niepoort was named “European Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast.
A Vintage Port that proves concentration and finesse are not mutually exclusive – decanting and allowing it time are doubly rewarding here.
