Niepoort Redoma Rosé 2020

Niepoort was founded in 1842 and is run by the fifth generation of the family, working the steep terraces of the DOC Douro in northern Portugal. Redoma Rosé is built from native red varieties including Tinta Amarela and Touriga Franca, grown on the schist soils that define the valley, where vines root deep into fractured rock and a hot, dry continental climate is tempered by altitude on the higher slopes. The house keeps to traditional Douro methods, fermenting in cement tanks and ageing in large old pipes rather than new oak, which gives the wine texture and a savoury edge while leaving the fruit clear. The slow ageing on fine lees adds subtle nutty complexity. The colour is a pale salmon, luminous and bright, the nose is refined, with redcurrant and red berries, white flowers and a thread of toasted hazelnut, and the palate is dry and complex, fresh and saline with a long mineral finish drawn from the schist. At 12% it stays light and precise. Serve chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.