Niepoort Conciso Tinto 2022

Niepoort is a Portuguese house founded in 1842, best known in Port but increasingly respected for table wines, and Conciso is its Dão red made with the Noriega family using traditional methods. The Dão sits on granite-based soils at altitude in the Beiras, a cool inland zone that gives high-acid, finely structured reds. The blend is led by Baga, a thick-skinned, naturally tannic and high-acid grape, alongside Jaen and other local varieties, with foot-treading and fermentation in the old style. Ageing runs to twenty-five months in foudres, large neutral casks that allow slow oxygen exchange and soften the tannins without adding oak flavour, which keeps the focus on fruit and minerality. At 12 percent the wine is light bodied yet structured, medium ruby in colour, with a nose of red and forest fruit, black pepper, clove and a damp, earthy minerality. The palate is fresh and savoury, the tannins firm but fine, finishing long and mineral. Serve at 16 degrees with a short decant. It suits roast and braised meats, game and mushrooms.