Niepoort, Quinta de Baixo, “Lagar de Baixo” , Bairrada 2021

The Niepoort family has been making wine in Port’s Douro Valley since 1842. Dirk Niepoort, the 5th generation of the family wine business raised the quality & expanded to Alentejo, Dao, & bought Quinta de Baixo in Bairrada in 2012. Dirk’s son Daniel is the 6th generation to enter the business. I have been a fan since I visited in 2004. Style: dry, red | Grape: 100% Baga | Region: Bairrada | Soil: Calcareous clay | Farming: biodynamic | Fermentation: whole cluster in traditional open stone lagares. Fermentation continued & malolactic occurred in large oak vats. | Aging: 20 months in large, neutral vats & bottled unfiltered. | Pairs with: mushroom dishes, Portuguese bean stew, & more | Alcohol: 12.5% | Retail: $27