Niepoort Colheita Port 1998 (Single Vintage Tawny Port)

Wine information: 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 for a colheita is 7 years in oak cask, but the tradition at Niepoort is to age it several more years in the casks before bottling. With age, the wine takes on a tawny hue. Following on from the exceptional wines made in 1997, the 1998 Colheita shows great character, fruit and concentration following a warm summer and exceptionally hot August.The wine comprising the 1998 Colheita was aged in Niepoort's cool cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia in small old oak casks under the watchful eye of Niepoort Master Blender José Nogueira. It has a brick red colour with some orange/brown hues and solid depth of colour. Delightful vinous aroma, well integrated with aroma of dried fruits. On the palate, shows great freshness along with subdued dried apricots and figs, leading to a lengthy spirity finish. Wonderful on its own at the end of a meal or on a cold winter afternoon in front of an open fireplace.

 
     

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