NIEPOORT ROBUSTUS 2015 0.75

Product: NIEPOORT ROBUSTUS 2015 0.75

Country of origin: Portugal

Producer: Niepoort (Wines) SA

Origin: Douro
The name Robustus pays homage to the first Douro wine, produced by Dirk Niepoort, the Robustus 1990, which was never commercially released. Since 2004, Robustus has been vinified according to the methods used in the production of traditional wines. The long aging in old wooden barrels imparts maturity, complexity, softens the tannins and gives the wine precision and balance, without losing any of its vigor and aromatic freshness. Robustus comes from our oldest, north-facing vines, where acidity and tannic structure are high. In an extremely hot region, with the diversity of terroirs and the wisdom of the old vines, it is possible to produce fresh wines with long aging potential.

Soil: Shale

Grape varieties: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cão and others

Exam Notes

Aroma: The Robustus 2015 is a mature wine. After prolonged aging in 2000L foudres, it develops somewhat earthy tertiary aromas with an emphasis on peat.

Taste: The tannins are seductive, yet perfectly balanced, with great structure, a quality that only old vines can impart.

On the palate, it impresses with its youthfulness, lightness, and tension; very refined with a long and persistent finish.

Pairing: Game dishes (partridge, venison), duck rice. Vegetarian suggestions: dishes with mushrooms or truffles.

Service: Decanting is recommended one hour in advance.

Winemaking: The climatic conditions of the 2015 viticultural year were very favorable, with sun, heat and low humidity, allowing for homogeneous vegetative growth.

Winter, with rain starting in March, replenished a large part of the soil's water reserves. At the beginning of spring, average temperatures were high and some rain completed the water replenishment, allowing for balanced budding. After flowering in May, veraison began in July, quite uniformly, about two weeks earlier than the previous year.

One of the unique aspects of this vintage year was the vine's ability to remain hydrated during ripening. In late August and early September, the basal leaves remained green and moist, with the berries hydrated and a thick, firm skin. The balance of the musts, the smoothness of the tannins, and the intense color concentration indicate that we are witnessing an exceptional year for Douro DOC wines.

The grapes for Robustus were hand-selected upon arrival at the winery, falling by gravity into a stainless steel vat. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration were lengthy. Aging in 2000-liter barrels lasted more than 4 years. 5200 bottles of this wine were bottled in February 2020, without fining or filtration.
Internship: 48 months in old wooden barrels

Alcohol content: 12% vol.

Capacity: 75cl

Quantity per box: 3

Box Type: Wood

Suitable for Vegetarians: Yes

Suitable for Vegans: Yes

Allergens: Sulfites