Niepoort Colheita 1988

Notes - Niepoort is a family company now in its fifth generation and presently managed by Dirk Niepoort. Despite being the second smallest shippers in the trade they are second to none in quality. Already famous for their classic tawny ports, they have now joined the ranks of the great producers of Vintage Port. "Niepoort is to Vintage Port what Krug is to Champagne. They are both small houses in a world dominated by large competitors but they are producing outstanding wines which very few can match." (James Suckling, Vintage Port). Colheitas are dated tawnies aged in cask. The  minimum age requirement is 7 year, but the tradition at Niepoort is to age several more years in the casks before bottling. The wine takes on a tawny hue. Wood and nutty tones are evident on the palate due to the wine’s slow ageing in old casks. 1988 was a very complicated agricultural year with poor weather during the spring and early summer but very hot weather in early September. At the time of harvest yields were low and wines were somewhat unbalanced, however with careful selection and ageing in small old oak casks (550 L) under the watchful eye of Niepoort Master Blender José Nogueira in the cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia, the result is a wonderfully elegant wine. A few hints of brick red but overall quite brown / orange in colour. A wonderfully delicate aroma of dried fruits and a touch of crystallized tangerine peel and slight nutty character. On the palate very elegant with an all envolving silky texture with fruit coming through and leading to a soft spirity finish.A wine exhibiting superb elegance and balance.
 
     

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