Niepoort Charme 2020 Tinto

€ 65.00

Quantity discounts

Starting at 18
€ 52.50

Charm is a rare red Douro wine. Its elegance and complexity, its soft and ripe tannins best describe the qualities coming from the very old vines from the Vale de Mendiz in the heart of the Pinhão. It is Dirk Niepoort's ultimate and personal interpretation of his Burgundy passion. Charme is the only still wine produced in Vale de Mendiz With its lively, pale colour, this wine’s appearance is probably closest to a Burgundian Pinot Noir. The nose reveals the complexity of the grape varieties and old vines which make up this blend. First, floral notes of violets appear, followed by fleeting nuances of graphite on a base of red fruits such as raspberry, redcurrant and cherry. The oak is incredibly discreet and balanced by balsamic as well as minty aromas which further elevate the wine’s sophistication.

The palate impresses with outstanding elegance, precision, a delicate structure and superb acidity, finishing long, with persistent spice and freshness.

Food pairing

Mushrooms and game dishes, such as partridge or pheasant.

Grapes: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca

The 2020 growing year was very heterogeneous. A rainy winter was followed by a quite moderate spring, providing favourable conditions for the vines’ growth. On the other hand, the month of June was relatively cool and slowed down the growth cycle. July brought very high temperatures (the hottest since 1931), with three heat waves which reduced the yields somewhat. Harvesting began in the first weeks of August in the hottest areas and concluded in the higher-lying slopes at the end of September.

A few small batches of wines were made for the Charme in the early stages of the harvest, using 100% whole bunches foot-trodden in traditional stone lagares. After a short maceration period, the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations finished in French oak barrels, where the wine was aged for 15 months, prior to bottling.

100% whole bunches were lightly crushed into granite lagares where they were foot trodden. What is most important in this winemaking process is the length of time of the pre-fermentation maceration and the beginning of alcoholic fermentation, where extraction is very short but intense. The Charme initially undergoes fermentation in lagares and then concludes the process in barrels. Minimal racking and ageing in French oak barrels for 15 months finish off the winemaking process.

Store & Serve

Serve at 16-18°C

Alcoholcontent

13,5 %vol

pH: 3,53

Critics & Awards

Tags : Niepoort - Douro