Niepoort Batuta 2025

Batuta is a Douro red from Niepoort, a coupage of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, Malvazia Preta and other varieties grown in old, mixed vineyards in the DOC Douro. The Niepoort family has made wine here since 1842, joining tradition with newer methods. The Douro is a steep, schist terraced valley in northern Portugal, hot and dry in the growing season but with cold nights and poor, stony soils that force the vines deep and yield low, concentrated fruit. Field blends from old vines like these ripen unevenly, which is part of the complexity. Niepoort use traditional techniques including foot treading and fermentation in cement, and the wine ages twenty two months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins and frames the fruit without dominating it. At 12.5 per cent this is an elegant rather than heavy Douro red. The colour is deep garnet. The nose shows strawberry and cherry with mint, graphite, ink and a savoury, earthy edge. The palate is medium to full and fresh, the tannins fine, the acidity bright through a mineral, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant. It suits roast beef, duck and mushrooms.