Niepoort Batuta 2014 magnum

Learn More About This Wine

The grapes to produce this wine come from Quinta do Carril, from a north-facing vineyard with more than 70 years, and also from old vineyards about 100 years old near Quinta de Nápoles. Batuta is the result of a delicate vinification process, with long maceration but little extraction, where all the details are carefully considered in order to obtain a complex, fine and elegant wine. It has plenty of concentration from the old Douro vineyards, yet it is fresh and delicate.

The 2014 harvest was slightly lower in production compared to 2013, but certainly made up for it in quality. Harvest began in early September, in order to maintain the high levels of acidity, balance and freshness in the wines. As in the previous year, the early start avoided rain later in the month and overripe fruit in some more exposed vineyards. After careful selection, both in the vineyard and the winery, fermentation took place in cone-shaped stainless steel vats and wooden barrels, with maceration for around 60 days. The wine aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, with 25% new oak, where malolactic fermentation took place.

The year 2014 probably gave the lightest and the most elegant Batuta ever before, which is the result of the intent to create wines increasingly fine and with little extraction. It shows a light, bright ruby colour. Deep, complex, and austere aroma. The mineral profile, with floral notes, cocoa, and wild berries, is in full harmony with the woody notes. With the time spent in glass, the wine will show several layers in a very elegant way, though slightly tight, reflecting the freshness and minerality from the centenarian vineyards. Fine and elegant in the mouth, with silky texture and firm structure, it shows very polished tannins. Despite being young, impresses by its balance and precision. Very fine, long and seductive finish. It will age with great class.