Niepoort Redoma Tinto, Douro

Description

Niepoort Redoma Tinto was the first Douro table wine from Niepoort and was first released in 1991. As Dirk Niepoort says, Redoma is like the Douro – “extreme and with a rigorous character”. It was one of the first red wines from the Douro that demonstrates that serious, dry red wines could be made there.

Niepoort Vinhos: Since 1842

Niepoort Vinhos may be small, but it is a very well-regarded Portuguese wine producer with a rich history dating back to 1842. The company was founded by Franciscus Marius Niepoort from Holland and has been family-owned for six generations. Dirk Niepoort joined the family business in the late 1980s and brought a fresh perspective to the company. Previously, the company was best known for its Port Wines, and particularly their fine, aged Tawny Ports.

The New Generation

The sixth generation, Daniel, Marco and Ana, have all recently entered the family business. Daniel van der Niepoort is the head winemaker, having taken over from his father, wine-making legend Dirk Niepoort, in 2021.

Niepoort Wines

Dirk recognised the potential of the Douro Valley to produce exceptional table wines, not just fortified wines and convinced his father to purchase Quinta de Nápoles (from where some of the Redoma grapes come from) and Quinta do Carril, plant 15 hectares of new vines, and preserve the 60-year-old vineyards. Today, the company produces wines from a diverse range of wine-growing regions across Portugal, not just from the Douro, but also from estates and vineyards including Bairrada, Dao and Açores (Azores).

Niepoort Redoma Tinto Vinification

Grapes from old north-facing vineyards from Quinta de Napoles and Pinhão Valley form the base for Niepoort Redoma Tinto. The wine is a blend of Tinta Amarela, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and other Douro varieties.

• The 2021 vintage produced larger yields than expected.
• At Quinta de Nápoles, this resulted in a 50% increase in yield compared to the previous year.
• Manual harvest from old vines, average age 70 years old.
• No special sorting process was used; 100% whole bunches were transferred directly into stainless steel lagares equipped with mechanised stomping devices.
• The bunches underwent a short maceration period in the lagares.
• The wine then completed malolactic fermentation in old wooden barrels.
• It matured in these barrels for approximately 22 months.
• 30,00 bottles per vintage.

Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2021 is a blend of Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão.

The 2021 Vintage: Elegance and Freshness

The 2021 vintage in the Douro is widely considered a “winemaker’s year.” Unlike the heatwaves of 2020, 2021 was cooler and more temperate, allowing for a slower ripening process. This resulted in wines with lower alcohol levels (the 2021 is 12%), vibrant natural acidity, and incredibly pure fruit aromatics. For fans of the “new style” of Douro reds, leaning toward elegance rather than heavy extraction.