Niepoort Redoma Reserve Branco 2021

Niepoort Redoma Reserve Branco 2021

 

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Niepoort
Redoma Reserve Branco 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Portugal
  • Region : Douro
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 11,5°
  • Grappes : 30% Viosinho, 30% Arinto

Niepoort Redoma Reserva Branco is a refined white wine from old vines, more than 80 years old, planted in mica-schist soils at an altitude of 600 meters. It captures the essence of the Douro’s terroir, with a focus on minerality, complexity, and ageing potential.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 92 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The grapes for Redoma Reserva Branco 2021 come from old vineyards located in the Douro Valley, one of Portugal's most renowned wine regions. The vineyards are planted in mica-schist soils at an altitude of 600 meters, which contributes to the wine's mineral character and its ability to retain freshness. These old vines, over 80 years old, are deep-rooted and offer low yields, but produce grapes with exceptional concentration and complexity.

The altitude helps preserve the natural acidity of the grapes, and the schist soils enhance the wine's structure and minerality. The Douro Valley, known for its challenging growing conditions, gives birth to wines that are both powerful and elegant, with a distinctive freshness that comes from the combination of high-altitude vineyards and schist soils.

Winemaking

The 2021 vintage saw a larger than expected yield, with Quinta de Nápoles reporting a 50% increase compared to the previous year. The harvest began on August 11, 2021, under ideal conditions. The grapes were carefully handpicked and refrigerated before being transported to the winery. They were meticulously sorted, then gently pressed without skin contact, allowing the must to settle for 24 hours.

Fermentation took place in French oak barriques, where the wine also underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged for 9 months. This process adds complexity and texture, while preserving the wine’s natural freshness. The use of oak is subtle, enhancing the wine's structure without overpowering its delicate fruit profile.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale yellow with bright clarity.
  • Aroma: The nose is fresh and delicate, offering a fruity profile with notes of citrus and pineapple, combined with subtle floral hints, herbaceous nuances, and a touch of nuts.
  • Palate: Crisp and linear, with a well-structured palate and vibrant acidity. The wine shows excellent balance between its fruit flavors and its mineral-driven complexity, leading to a dry, piquant finish. It is a wine of great aging potential.

Did you know?

Niepoort Redoma Reserva Branco is one of the pioneering white wines from the Douro Valley, first released in 1995. The aim was to showcase the Douro’s potential for producing age-worthy white wines that reflect the character of the region’s old vines and unique schist soils.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled Fish: The fresh acidity and subtle complexity of the wine complement the delicate flavors of grilled fish, while its minerality enhances the texture of the dish.
  • Seafood Risotto: The creamy texture of the risotto is balanced by the wine’s vibrant acidity and structured finish.
  • Roasted White Meats: The wine’s crispness and structure work beautifully with roasted chicken or pork, cutting through the richness of the meat.
  • Cheese Pasta: A vegetarian option, pasta with cheese, finds a perfect match in the wine’s acidity and nutty undertones.

History of Niepoort Estate

Niepoort was founded in 1842 by Fransiscus Marius Niepoort, a Dutchman who moved to Portugal to establish a wine business in Vila Nova de Gaia. Initially focused on Port wine production, the estate gradually became one of the top producers of Port, earning a reputation for high-quality, age-worthy Ports.

Over the decades, Niepoort passed through five generations of the family. However, it was in the late 20th century, under the leadership of Dirk Niepoort, that the company embraced a revolutionary change. Dirk, the fifth-generation winemaker, took over in 1987 and expanded Niepoort’s vision to include dry table wines from the Douro Valley, long known only for Port production. Dirk’s passion for producing elegant, terroir-driven wines from old vines in the Douro led to the creation of some of Portugal's most renowned red and white wines.

Today, Dirk Niepoort continues to push the boundaries of innovation while maintaining respect for tradition. His efforts to promote sustainable viticulture, minimal intervention winemaking, and showcasing the unique terroir of the Douro have placed Niepoort at the forefront of both Port and dry wine production.

Region and Vineyards

The Douro Valley is one of the oldest and most distinctive wine regions in the world, known for its steep terraced vineyards carved into the slopes above the Douro River. The region’s schist soils and harsh growing conditions create a unique terroir, capable of producing both powerful, age-worthy reds and fresh, mineral-driven whites.

Niepoort sources its grapes from various old-vine vineyards, particularly in the Cima Corgo sub-region, which is known for producing wines of great complexity and balance. Some of these vineyards, such as those used for wines like Batuta and Turris, are over 100 years old, with low yields that produce concentrated and expressive fruit. The vineyards are often planted at high altitudes ranging from 400 to 800 meters, which preserves the freshness and acidity in the grapes despite the hot Douro summers.

Niepoort practices sustainable viticulture and works to preserve biodiversity within the vineyards. The estate's philosophy is based on minimal intervention, allowing the natural characteristics of the grapes and the terroir to shine through in the wines.

Wine Range

Niepoort produces a diverse range of wines, from traditional Ports to dry table wines. Their portfolio is split into several categories:

  • Port Wines: Niepoort continues to be a leading producer of Port, including Vintage Port, Tawny Port, and Colheita (single-vintage Tawny). The house style emphasizes elegance, freshness, and long-term aging potential.
  • Red Table Wines: Niepoort has become well-known for its Redoma, Batuta, and Charme wines, all of which are based on old-vine field blends from the Douro. These wines are celebrated for their structure, freshness, and complexity, with the ability to age gracefully.
  • White Table Wines: Niepoort's Redoma Branco and Redoma Reserva Branco are among the best examples of Douro whites, offering minerality and aging potential. The Tiara and Coche wines are also key examples of the estate's focus on showcasing freshness and the region’s terroir.
  • Special Projects: Niepoort is known for unique projects such as Turris, a wine made from a single 130-year-old vineyard, as well as partnerships with winemakers in other regions of Portugal and beyond, including the Mosel in Germany.

Did you know?

Dirk Niepoort is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Portuguese wine. In addition to his success in the Douro, Dirk has worked on projects across Europe, collaborating with top winemakers and producing wines in regions such as Bairrada and the Mosel Valley in Germany. Niepoort is also recognized for its use of traditional methods, such as foot treading in granite lagares and aging in large, old foudres, which are hallmarks of their winemaking philosophy.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (2019)
The 2019 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 12.0% alcohol. This has more new wood and a longer time in wood than the regular Redoma Branco, but that doesn't make it any better. For some, it may be a demerit. The style issue here is far more important than any qualitative issue. The new wood does impart a touch of vanilla here, but the extra wood also gives this velvety texture. There's a longer finish as well. At the moment, I like the regular Redoma as much, maybe more. It is true that extended cellaring may change that answer, and this may do better in the cellar. It still has to prove that, and are you willing to wait several years? In that case, somewhere around 2030, you may well be rewarded handsomely. Meanwhile, this is nearly twice the price.

Niepoort Redoma Branco 2023
Niepoort Redoma Branco 2023
Niepoort
Redoma Branco 2023
RP
93
Niepoort Redoma Branco is a vibrant and expressive white wine from old vines grown on the right bank of the Douro River, at altitudes between 400 and 600 meters. It captures the essence of the Douro, offering eleganceminerality, and freshness from its unique terroir.
26,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2019
Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2019
Niepoort
Redoma Tinto 2019
RP
94
JS
94
WS
92
Known for its structure and precision, Redoma Tinto is crafted from traditional Douro grape varieties, including Tinta Amarela, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca, showcasing the complex character of the region’s terroir.
41,50 €
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Niepoort Batuta 2021
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Niepoort
Batuta 2021
RP
96
Made from 70 to 100-year-old vines, Niepoort Batuta is an intricate and refined wine that highlights both the power of the Douro terroir and the finesse of long aging in French oak.
76,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Niepoort Charme 2022
Niepoort Charme 2022
Niepoort
Charme 2022
RP
98
Niepoort Charme is an elegant and finely balanced red wine from the Douro Valley, made with meticulous attention to detail from very old vineyards located along the Pinhão River.
76,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Niepoort Turris 2018
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RP
97
Niepoort Turris is a wine that represents Dirk Niepoort’s dream, made from a 130-year-old vineyard in the Cima Corgo region of the Douro Valley, facing south. This vineyard has remained unpruned and is known for producing wines of exceptional complexity and character.
155,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
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