niepoort projectos bastardo 2018

the niepoort family has been making port wines since 1842, considered to be one of the best in the country. the first property in the douro was purchased in 1987 and dirk niepoort began a new era in the business with the creation of the first redoma red in 1991. in recent years, niepoort has taken on the great challenge of interpreting other soils and climates and has acquired two properties in other regions: dão and bairrada. bastardo is a grape variety that is often found among the old vineyards of the douro valley. known as "trousseau" in the french jura, it has a short vegetative cycle and reaches maturity very early. it is often used to increase the sugar content in the must of grapes from colder regions. the idea behind the creation of this bastardo was to tame the rustic character of the grape variety and to bring out its elegant and fresh side. bastardo is found among the old vineyards of quinta de nápoles, where the viticulture is organic. its pale garnet colour, lively and slightly concentrated, is reminiscent of a trousseau from the jura. the bouquet shows a fine and delicate aromatic profile: great freshness, aromas of redcurrant and cherry and the balsamic notes typical of the variety. on the palate, flavours of red fruit harmonise with hints of tobacco and spices. its structure is delicate and extremely elegant. with its balance, persistent acidity and almost tangy, incredibly precise finish, this wine is an extraordinary example of the bastardo grape.