(Port)Wine of the month April 2015: Niepoort Garrafeira 1931

Garrafeiras age in three different ways and therefore are a special type of Port. The first ageing is done in regular pipas, after which they are refilled in 12L bottles, so called demijohns. The last phase of ageing is done in regular 0,75 Liter bottles. Garrafeiras show three years on the label: The year of the Vintage, the year when they are filled into the demijohns (bottled) and the final bottling into the 0,75 Liter format (decanted). Niepoort Garrafeiras are not produced very often and in very small quantities. Maturing some time like a Tawny and the rest as a Vintage Port, they do combine the best of both worlds.

Red-orange, fully transparent color. The nose reveals some fruit, honey, malty notes and a red berry mix in the background, combined with mint. Surprisingly fresh on the palate, it shows complex, but elegant eucalyptus and malty notes. Long, balanced and intense aftertaste. Impressive. 19