Tasting Notes
A great Vintage, showing beautiful concentration, vigour and complexity, but with plenty of finesse and remarkable freshness. The 2015 gives us a silky wine, with great structure and incredible balance thanks to its taut acidity and lower level of sweetness, which results in a fresher wine.
Port Information
| Vintage |
2015 |
| Region |
Porto |
| Appellation |
Douro
|
| Style |
Red
|
|
Producer
|
Niepoort |
|
Grapes
|
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Amarela, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. |
|
Pairing
|
Aperitif.
|
| Keeping |
Several years. |
| Vinification |
Niepoort states 'The 2014/15 viticultural year experienced a cold and very dry winter, with rainfall at a record low compared to previous years. In addition, the spring and summer were dry and hot with three heat waves occurring in June/July, prior to a cooler month of August – the low humidity ensured that the incidence of disease was at an all-time low, and as a result, the vineyards delivered superb, clean fruit – an indicator of paramount importance for a great Vintage Port.
At Niepoort, in Vale de Mendiz, harvest started on 28 August under fine conditions. Even the rain on 15 and 16 September as well as the lower temperatures were most beneficial, allowing the grapes to reach full maturity without the problems of splitting and subsequent rot which could be expected in a year with normal levels of soil humidity.
The 2015 vintage perpetuates Niepoort’s tradition of creating balanced Ports which offer great concentration but also incredible elegant and finesse. What makes the 2015 vintage so unique is the purity of fruit – a result of low humidity during the growing season which was not affected by the rain on 15 and 16 September. It provided a diversity of parcels from which to blend the 2015 Vintage Port – some more acid-driven, from the early September harvest before the rain, and others slightly riper and harvested after mid-September.'
|
| Bottle |
75cl |
| Volume |
20.0% |
Niepoort
An independent company set up by Franciscus Marius van der Niepoort in 1842, the Dutch family were late to arrive on the port market scene compared to their already well established British competition. However, it was through very good relations with the native vineyard owners that has enabled Niepoort to produce four generations of quality port wine.
Now even though they were able to sustain a niche position in the port market, the Niepoort’s were relatively unheard of in the British market until the 5th generation, Eduard Dirk Niepoort, joined his father at the helm of the family business in 1987. During this time Niepoort began to expand and purchased their first vineyards, Quinta de Nápoles and Quinta do Carril in Cima Corgo, found in the best of the three areas of the Douro for highest quality vineyards in Portugal - This was a big step forward for Niepoort in beginning to produce wines alongside their port. It was also at this time that Niepoort decided they wanted to pursue a share in the UK port market, and now, armed with 25 hectares of new and old vines along with their innovative ideas combined with traditional methods, were ready to introduce the name Niepoort to the mass British public.
Up until this time the market for port had been under the control of a close-knit network of traders around the London area, much like the British Association in Porto three hundred years earlier. For ourselves, Pierre Hourlier Wines, (who were just starting up the business!), this meant in order to find a port of quality and character we would have to personally explore nearer the source to match our passion and philosophies for fine wines.
It was in 1975 we first encountered the Niepoort family - a period of political revolution and turbulence throughout the Porto area. Gangs of revolutionaries charged the streets, Pierre recalls, as he made his way to the small port houses on his list. After his introduction to then owner Rolf van der Niepoort, both men almost immediately understood each others integrity and have shared a fruitful and prosperous relationship since, evident from the bottle of 1912 port given to Pierre by Rolf - Dirk has carried on supplying us with constant high standards.
As stated on their website, the Niepoort's mission is “to preserve the niche player position and continue to create great Port and Douro wines bringing together secular tradition and innovation.” This dream begins at their lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, located south of Porto across the banks of the Douro, where the headquarters are found and thus the masterminds and driving force behind these artisan ports.
This is our only non French product. Non je ne regrette rien!
