1938 Niepoort

[Alex Bridgeman]

A half bottle from the Niepoort cellars. This wine was used by Dirk Niepoort’s grandfather Eduardo as the base wine for the 1938 garrafeira, but a small number of half bottles were filled with the 1938 vintage port in 1943 in order to be able to track the evolution. When decanted at the table, delicate beeswings were seen in the port and in the glasses being consumed.

In colour this was a beautiful shade of polished redwood; about 30% opaque. On the nose this was sweet and full of sultanas plumped in redcurrant juice. An absolutely wonderful smell. Gentle on the palate, a touch spirity—but the bottle had only just been opened—and with powerful acidity. Hints of honey in the gentle flavours that comes with elegant fruit and delicate floral tones. There is a slight smokiness to the palate that leaves hints of mystery. The finish has some structure from the acidity before the smoky fruit takes over the long and sticky finish. Perhaps this lacks a little in acidity as a wine in its own right but this makes a fabulous base wine and was a marvel to try. 89/100. Drunk 16-Dec-15. Pop ’n’ pour.

Drunk at Lunch at Otto's on Wednesday 16 December 2015.