Description
Founded in 1842, the small Port house of Niepoort is now run by 5th generation brother and sister Dirk and Verena Niepoort. It’s easy to forget that it was only a few years ago that Niepoort was only sought out by a small band of faithful followers, as stock of remarkable, artisanal wines built up in the cramped old Niepoort lodge in Rua Serpa Pinto in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Niepoort 2000 Vintage Port is another classic vintage Port from “Douro Boy” Dirk Niepoort. According to Niepoort, the 2000 “combines balance with superb concentration, and at the same time very fine and delicate. The wine also has a splendid rustic character giving it a wonderful individuality.”
Vintage Port must be bottled within two years of the harvest date and be 100 per cent wine from that harvest. Niepoort Vintage Port 2000 has all the ingredients of a classic Vintage year – power and elegance. There were low yields combined with perfect maturation of the grapes, great concentration and on top of that great acidity; it was pretty clear from early on in the vintage it would be a great one.
Niepoort 2000 Vintage Port is made with grapes sourced from low-yielding old vines in the Cima Corgo region of Douro Valley. The vineyards are located in at Vinha da Pisca, Vale do Pinhão and Ferrão and they vines have an average age of 60 years plus. The grapes were trodden in “lagares” and later the Port was matured in large wooden vats and also in barrels at Niepoort’s lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia. It is a typical Douro field blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca, Tinta Amarela, Sousão, Tinta Roriz and others.
