2022 Niepoort 'Charme' Tinto

One of Niepoort's top red table wines (non-Port) from the Douro. Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca. Sustainable, Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan. Grapes come from very old vineyards in Vale de Mendiz, on the banks of the Pinhão River. Average vine age 70 to 100+ years!

What is most important in this winemaking process is the length of time of the pre-fermentation maceration and the beginning of alcoholic fermentation, where extraction is very short but intense. The grapes are manually harvested, then 100% whole bunches were lightly crushed into granite lagares where they were foot trodden. The Charme initially undergoes fermentation in lagares and then concludes with malolactic fermentation in barrels. Minimal racking and aging in French oak barrels for 15 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

97 points, James Suckling. "The 2022 Charme offers up floral aromas of roses, hibiscus flowers, cherries and raspberries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with silky, subtle tannins, red fruit character and a delicate finish. An almost ethereal wine that maintains depth and complexity. This is made from a blend of tinta roriz, touriga franca and others from old vineyards in Vale de Mendiz. Fermented with 100% whole clusters in lagars. Aged for around 18 months in French oak. Already gorgeous but will definitely evolve favorably. Drink or hold."