30 in stock
| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Main grapes | |
| Other grapes | Others, Sousao, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Cao, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca |
| Vintage | |
| Bottle sizes |
Are you looking for a perfectly matured, world-class Port without having to uncork a full 75cl bottle? These half bottles of Niepoort 1997 Vintage Port offer an exceptional, cellar-aged opportunity to experience one of the Douro’s finest independent names at its absolute peak.
At Fareham Wine Cellar, we have been sourcing, cellaring, and sharing rare Ports for over 30 years. Indeed, these half bottles of Port have been sitting quietly in our cellars for over 20 years. This stunning 1997 vintage from the legendary, family-run house of Niepoort is now available in this highly convenient 37.5cl format – perfect for a cosy evening, an elegant post-dinner pairing, or a thoughtful luxury gift.
This 1997 Vintage Port is crafted from low-yielding old vines on the schist soils of the Cima Corgo – the beating heart of the Douro Valley – the grapes were foot-trodden in traditional granite lagares before the Port was transferred to large wooden vats
Because of this natural “crust” of sediment, the Niepoort 1997 Vintage Port 37.5cl half bottles should be stood upright for 24 hours and carefully decanted before serving. Please read our Guide to Decanting Port.
Vintage Port is the ultimate expression of the Douro, crafted from a single exceptional harvest and bottled within two years to mature in the near-absence of oxygen inside traditional, thick black glass. This reductive bottle ageing preserves an incredible intensity of fruit and structural power, allowing the wine to evolve beautifully through three distinct phases: a muscular, fruit-forward youth; a mature harmony after twenty or more years as the tannins melt into complex spice; and a majestic, delicate old age where the warming spirit gracefully takes centre stage. It remains one of the world’s most rewarding wines to cellar and share, with a stellar selection of mature and young vintages always available at Fareham Wine Cellar.
Niepoort has been an independent family business since 1842, guided today by the visionary fifth-generation winemaker Dirk Niepoort alongside the sixth generation – Daniel, Marco, and Ana. While Dirk famously pioneered some of Portugal’s finest dry table wines, Niepoort’s heart remains firmly in the Douro.
Despite being one of the smallest shippers in the trade, they are second to none in quality. Historically celebrated for their peerless Colheitas and aged Tawnies, they are firmly established among the absolute elite of Vintage Port producers. As renowned critic James Suckling famously put it: “Niepoort is to Vintage Port what Krug is to Champagne.”
Under the brilliant, innovative direction of fifth-generation winemaker Dirk Niepoort, the house style has always prioritized elegance, freshness, and structural balance over heavy, jammy blockbusters. The 1997 classic vintage declaration is a masterclass in this approach.
On the Nose: The bouquet is complex and beautifully classy. It opens with an elegant lift of sweet violets, candied cherry, and developed dark fruits.
On the Palate: You are greeted by a concentrated, rich core of dark plum, wild blackberry, and chocolate-covered cherries. Over nearly three decades of quiet bottle maturation, the once-gripping tannins have melted completely, leaving a seamless, velvety texture balanced by a vibrant, racy acidity that keeps the wine remarkably alive and fresh.
Serve slightly cool (around 15°C to 18°C)
With its melted tannins and sweet dark fruit, the 1997 pairs spectacularly with Stilton, Roquefort, or other pungent blue cheeses. It also makes a heavenly pairing with rich dark chocolate truffles, almond tarts, or simply on its own as a digestif.
Yes. The 1997 viticultural year featured a classic, generalized declaration. After an unusually wet spring, the long, hot, and dry summer allowed the grapes to achieve optimal, rich ripeness with excellent tannin structures.
Yes. Due to the slightly higher proportion of oxygen trapped in a 37.5cl half bottle relative to the volume of liquid, the aging process is accelerated. This makes half bottles a fantastic way to enjoy a mature, fully integrated vintage wine much sooner than their 75cl or Magnum counterparts.
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