Niepoort Redoma Reserve Branco 2020

The 2018 Redoma Reserva Branco is a field blend from old vines featuring Rabigato, Códega, Viosinho, Arinto and others, all aged for nine months in 60% new French oak. It comes in very dry and at just 12% alcohol (not surprisingly, less than the 2017). This was set for bottling in a week or so, but it was the final blend and out of cask. If anything, this seems lighter than the regular Redoma Branco. Niepoort says that the regular Redoma always seems bigger, especially when both are young. This is equally fresh and has the oak beautifully under control, despite somewhat more aggressive oak treatment here. If this has an advantage, it might be longer on the finish. Maybe. In any event, they seem about equally good just now, if somewhat differently styled. The style differences will matter more than any perceived quality difference to most people, this having more finesse and a bit more wood. This, too, will age well, probably somewhat better. I won't be surprised if both exceed my estimates, assuming good storage and provenance.