Robustus 2009 presents dark colour, with a distinctly mineral and very deep aroma. On the palate, it is incredibly complex, enhancing the smoky notes that only appear in wines that age for long periods in wood. The tannins are seductive, zealous, but perfectly balanced, with a good structure.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: The 2009 Robustus is typically the winery’s most unusual red.The mid-palate is gracefully constructed, which is no surprise, because that is Niepoort. If it is denser than some in the Niepoort stable, it still seems graceful compared to what many other producers offered in this big vintage. It tightens considerably on the finish, showing fine structure to go with the beautiful fruit. It is simply bursting with flavor, too.
Producer Information
When the Niepoort family moved from Holland to the Douro region of Portugal in 1842, one of the great Port houses of Oporto began. And in 1987, as the fifth generation to make fortified wines for the family business, Dirk Niepoort started following a brand-new path. Considered a true Renaissance man, Dirk continues to make Port using the same traditional methods as his ancestors while also leading the way as one of Portugal’s most innovative, creative, and exciting producers of dry table wine. Towards the end of the 1980s, Dirk convinced his father to let him purchase Quinta de Nápoles, one of the oldest wineries in the region, and Quinta do Carril with their 60-year-old vineyards. He also began a lifelong quest to purchase old-vine vineyards with the express purpose of making unfortified wines – a move that was considered practically revolutionary at the time. In 1991 he released his first Douro dry wine, Redoma Tinto. This innovation has paid off in spades, as the Douro is now widely recognized both for its table wines and its Ports. Today, the Niepoort family owns 80 hectares of vines in the Douro, farmed organically, and incorporates biodynamic principles. Since 2012, they have expanded even further, purchasing incomparable, old vineyards in Bairrada, Dao, Vinho Verde, and most recently, Alentejo. Another vital aspect of Dirk’s respect for tradition is the family relationship with the Nogueira family. Working with the Niepoorts for five generations, the family has been the master blenders of their Port wines since the estate was founded. It is an essential distinguishing element in the continued healthy respect of family and tradition that differentiates Niepoort in an evolving region.
