niepoort charme 2021

niepoort charme 2021 is a red wine produced by niepoort, a winery located in the douro region of portugal. this wine is made from a blend of several grape varieties, including touriga franca, touriga nacional, tinta roriz, and others, from old vines with low yields. the wine has a deep ruby color and aromas of dark fruits, such as blackberries and blackcurrants, with hints of spices, herbs, and floral notes. on the palate, it is full-bodied and complex, with flavors of dark fruit, chocolate, and a subtle minerality. the tannins are firm and well-structured, providing a good balance with the fruit flavors. niepoort charme 2021 is a wine that can be enjoyed now or aged for several years to come. it pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and strong cheeses. i was blown away by the elegance and subtleness of the 2021 charme, i wine i know quite well and have followed from the first vintage (i think even a non-commercial release in the beginning). it's a red wine produced in vale mendiz where they make the port, a mixture of vineyards from the village. it had a very short maceration of the full clusters in lagar, was pressed to barrels where it finished fermenting and was put through malolactic, was kept in barrel for nine months and then was transferred to the cellar in quinta de napoles. it has a very elegant and perfumed style, with no oak whatsoever. it's floral, with notes of red berries and herbs and a medium-bodied palate with refined, elegant tannins and a long and supple finish with a spicy twist (from the barrels? some 15% to 20% new). this wine has been changing through the years, and this has to be the most elegant version of it, following the path of the 2018. it has a moderate 13% alcohol with a ph of 3.56 and 5.7 grams of acidity. 9,700 bottles produced. it was bottled in january 2023. superb!