Niepoort : Charme 2018

The intense freshness and elegance of a fine Douro wine

The producer

The Niepoort House takes its name from a family who believe that passion and tradition resonate with working the vines. Since 1842, five generations that have succeeded one another on these special lands. In the heart of the Douro wine region, the core aspiration is to express the beauty of their terroir and the extent of their unique know-how through Niepoort wines. Working hand in hand with his elders, winemaker Dirk van der Niepoort succeeds in combining tradition and originality. This unique spirit permeates all the colours of the house's wines and carries the famous Portuguese estate’s reputation to the highest wine-making spheres today.

The vineyard

Located in the north of Portugal, on the banks of the Douro River, Niepoort benefits from an exceptional terroir. In a continental climate, the terraced vines are rooted in schist-influenced soils and are at a height of about 40 metres. Charme 2018 comes from Vale de Mendiz vineyard, situated at an altitude of 300 to 350 metres, where very old vines, between 70 and 100 years old, flourish. In order to preserve this precious terroir, the Niepoort vines are cultivated according to the integrated viticulture approach.

The vinification and ageing

Niepoort relies on the ancient technique of harvesting whole grapes during the vinification process: the harvest is directly put into vats without separating the grapes from the stalks in order to give the wine a great tannic structure. Maceration is carried out in lagares, the wine then ferments in barrels. Then, the wine is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, 10% of which are new.

The blend

Tinta roriz, Touriga franca and others.

The tasting

Colour

Charme 2018 has a bright ruby colour.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet gives off very delicate notes of cherry and raspberry mixed with elegant earthy touches leading to fragrances of undergrowth and tea leaves.

Palate

Charme 2018 embodies a sophisticated and intense wine. A beautiful freshness and elegant structure emanate from this wine’s silky tannins. The subtle structure blends perfectly with the wine's fruity and acidic character.

Ageing potential

Charme 2018 is an exceptional wine that will remain a real pleasure in the mouth for more than ten years.

Service tips

For an optimal tasting experience, serve between 16 and 18 degrees.