Niepoort Coche 2021

Niepoort Coche 2021

This is a wine that tries to go further in expressing the vineyard, the site and the region it comes from. For several years we tried to make a white wine with malolactic acidity, where it could be aged longer, both in barrels and in stainless steel. But the Douro is a hot region, even in the highest areas, and most years it wasn't possible to have enough acidity to do this. In this wine, the mica schist soil contributes minerality and freshness. Prolonged ageing gives it stability and time in vats before bottling better integrates all the elements, making the wine more compact and lively.

Winemaking

The 2021 harvest began on August 11, with excellent indicators, musts with high acidity, low alcohol and very hard skins, resulting in very balanced wines, both white and red. In September, the unstable weather led to a peak in the number of grapes entering the winery and different maturities depending on the geographical location. After sorting the grapes in the vineyard, they were transported in 25 kg boxes in a refrigerated truck. A second sorting took place at the entrance to the winery. During the night, the grapes were gently pressed and the must decanted for around 48 hours. The alcoholic fermentation took place in 228L and 550L French oak barrels, 50% of which were new. During the 12 months in barrel, Coche partially underwent malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes:

Coche is Niepoort's most coveted white and has the profile closest to a great Burgundy. In defining its profile, we sought to complement the balance of fruit with the complexity of ageing in first-year, low-toast French oak from the François Frères cooperage. On the nose, the wood ageing translates into notes of honey, dried fruit and brioche that are very well integrated with an aromatic base of apricot and citrus fruit and some aromatic herbs. In the mouth, it has the structure of a great Burgundy: elegant, with moderate alcohol and high aromatic complexity. The finish is persistent and long, complemented by excellent acidity that promises a fantastic evolution in the bottle.

Suggested Pairing

Roast fish, white meat. Cream-based dishes. Gratin dishes. Risotto. Vegetarian suggestions: vegetable lasagna, Portobello mushrooms.

Technical Information

Producer | Niepoort

Region | Douro

Type of Wine | White

Soil Type | Mica schist

Grape varieties | Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Arinto and others

Age of strains | Over 80 years old

Density per HA | 6500

Vineyard Management | Guyot

Altitude (M) | 600-750

Vindíma period | August

Vindíma Form | Manual

Malolactic | In barrel

Fermentation | In barrel

Ageing | 12 months in barrels

Bottled in | January 2023

Production | 9500 Bottles

Allergens | Sulfites

Dry extract (g/dm³) | 19.00

PH | 3.26

Total Acidity (g/dm³) | 5.80

Volatile Acidity (g/dm³) | 0.40

Residual Sugar (g/dm³) | 0.60

Alcohol (%) | 11.8

SO₂ free filling (mg/dm³) | 28

Total SO₂ (mg/dm³) | 120

Bulk mass (g/cm³) | 0.9910

Vegan-friendly | Yes