Niepoort Vintage Port 2019

2019 had the classic hallmarks of a great vintage; A rainy winter followed by a dry summer with rain in the last weekend of August allowing the fruit to reach full maturity whilst maintaining finesse and elegance - the perfect conditions in which the Niepoort style thrives! This is a port with a concentrated depth of colour. The true potential and style of this wine is really displayed on the palate with wonderful integration of dark fruits, a grainy tannic structure, and pairing volume with amazing balance and elegance culminating in an impressive finish. In conclusion, the primary fruit on the palate is appealing at this stage, but it is the balanced tannic structure which indicates great ageing potential for the future. This is a Vintage Port with personality and, for Niepoort, richer and riper than previous vintages, but maintains the true essence of a Niepoort Vintage Port; finesse, no exuberance and an overarching balance to the wine that will continue to develop for years to come.

The Niepoort Vintage Porto 2019 was officially announced on Dirk Niepoort’s birthday, in conjunction with an online tasting where Dirk, Daniel Niepoort (now Head Winemaker), Nick Delaforce (Head Portmaker) presented the new Vintage Port wine alongside the Vintage 2000.

This comparison, and to other Vintage Port releases since, revealed some fantastic insights about Dirk’s philosophy and what he looks for in great Vintage Port. We only have space for a few snippets here, but we’re sure the attending journalists will have plenty to say in due course!

There were discussions about the 2019 vintage as a whole, including how some rain just before harvest, following the warm summer, was helpful to allow the grapes to reach perfect maturity. Picking times are also a hot topic for Niepoort, as they are generally earlier than those of other Port houses.