Niepoort Charme Douro DOC 2024
The vines for the Charme grow in Vale de Mendiz, right in the middle of the Pinhão valley, cooler and better protected than the rest of the Douro. They are 70 to 100 years old, planted on schist, with yields below 20 hl/ha. Spontaneous fermentation in granite lagares, then 15 months in French barriques. On the nose we find the finest sour cherry, wild strawberry and sloe, plus mulberry, grapefruit and a hint of orange zest. On the palate it is silky, soft and supple, with ultra-polished tannins. Everything dances and plays. Burgundy in its expression, Portuguese in its soul. 98 points in the Robert Parker Wine Advocate, and for Luis Gutiérrez the best Charme so far. 12,800 bottles worldwide, and we are taking ours.
