Redoma, Douro Branco, Niepoort 2021

A marvellous field blend of 65-85 year old vines based on Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Viosinho, Donzelinho, and Gouveio, grown between 400-600m on mica schist and granite soils in the Douro’s Cima Corgo. The wine underwent a natural ferment and further ageing in a mix of French oak barrels for eight months.

This release has a classically cool and restrained nose of delicacy and lift, showing lemon and lime citrus, a certain cologne-like fragrance of spice, flowers, and wood, with a touch of herb and nut. The palate is attractive, juicy and very well-balanced, with bright acidity and excellent drive ahead of a mineral-focused, tense and grippy dry finish. This is never a wine that screams and shouts but it is extremely well-crafted and offers a wonderfully balanced mouthful for drinking now and with the potential to cellar beyond a decade – we often see these Niepoort wines flexing muscle at the eight year range.  This is a unique style of white but think of premier cru Chablis or a serious-level Grüner Veltliner and you won’t be too far off. Versatile stuff, ideal with simply prepared seafood and shellfish, white meat and poultry but try with root vegetables and grains – summer or autumnal style.
Aiden Schwarzer, Private Client Account Manager

Vivino Score: 4.2 out of 5