The name "tawny" describes the amber-brown hue a Port slowly moves toward when, for years, it is allowed to breathe through porous oak staves instead of resting sealed and protected in bottle.
Expert's Description
Niepoort Tawny is a Portuguese Tawny Port from the Douro Valley, bottled at 19.5%.
The wine ages in oak casks for around 3.5 years, slightly longer than the house's Ruby, giving it time to develop its characteristic reddish-brown colour and soft, nutty notes, without being classed as an aged Port. The mild, oxidative cask ageing makes Tawny one of the most versatile and approachable Port styles.
Niepoort was founded in 1842 by the Dutch van der Niepoort family in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the house's lodges still stand today, close to the banks of the Douro River. Ruby and Tawny are often seen as the house's two "gateways" to the Port category, meant as an introduction before venturing into the more complex aged and vintage-dated styles.
Where Ruby holds on to the fruit, Tawny makes more room for spice, caramel and dried fruit - two sides of the same fundamental Port craft.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Nutty notes of almond, dried figs and a touch of caramel.
Palate
Soft and light, with gentle, sweet tannins and a pleasant, rounded sweetness.
Finish
Medium-length and light, with lingering nutty notes and a smooth, clean close.
Specifications
Name: Niepoort Tawny
Winery: Niepoort
Region/Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Portuguese Port Wine (Tawny)
ABV: 19.5%
Size: 70 CL
Ageing: Oak casks (average 3.5 years)
EAN no.: 5602840010000
Serving suggestion: Serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C in a Port glass, with nutty desserts or on its own to round off a meal
Flavour Profile
Nutty · Light · Soft sweetness · Rounded
Did You Know?
The "tawny" colour is created entirely by the slow effect of time and oxygen in the cask - no caramel or colouring is added, even though the hue can resemble caramel itself.
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