Niepoort Tiara Branco Douro 2023

"Tiara Branco? is a white wine from vineyards at 600 to 800 meters altitude, grown on schist soils with 40- to 100-year-old vines of Códega, Donzelinho, and Rabigato, each in equal parts. Fermentation took place with natural yeasts in large wooden barrels, where malolactic fermentation and one year of maturation also occurred. The "Tiara Branco? 2023 appears light-footed and fine, with fresh, clear aromas of straw, lemon, melon, and sea breeze. On the palate, it shows grip and energy?crisp and herbal, with notes of citrus peel, wild apple, and some stone fruit. A reductive hint of struck match overlays it all.