2017 Charme Tinto
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Tasting notes
Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and others at 300–350 m. Average age 70 years but some centenarian vines. Harvested early, starting 24 August. 100% whole bunches were lightly crushed into granite lagares where they were foot trodden. The Charme initially undergoes fermentation in lagares and then concludes the process in barrels. Minimal racking and ageing in French oak barrels for 15 months. Lightish cherry red. As its name suggests, charming scent of sweet and wild red fruits, small berries, nothing too domesticated. Incredibly gentle on the palate even though the tannins are there. Lightly and attractively dusty, like stone dust. Succulent, juicy and with terrific concentration with such silky tannins. So delicate and so long. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Mark Squires
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Charme is a field blend, heavy on Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca (especially Tinta Roriz), aged for 15 months in used French barriques. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This, unlike most of the upper-level reds here, was in bottle when seen (and for about four months after that). More nuanced than the Batuta, and probably a little deeper, this is equally fresh, with a slight meaty aftertaste. There's not a lot of stuffing, but there never is in this wine (typically meant to have a Burgundian style). This is a fine Charme, though. It is structured, refined and bright, with lifted fruit and a long finish. It should age beautifully. This has never been my favorite bottling in Niepoort's stable, but it looks like one of my favorite Charmes ever, a worthy companion to the 2015.