Niepoort 2012 Niepoort Coche, Douro, Portugal

2012 Niepoort Coche, Douro, Portugal VINIFICATION:

Clearly assumed as our most luxurious and exclusive white, Coche is a wine that tries to go further ahead on the expression of the vineyard, of the place, and the region where it comes from.

Old vines and high altitude are the key factors for Coche success. Thus, in a hot region, the major concern was to balance its acidity and great volume in order to obtain a fresh and “light” wine with a great ageing potential.

The mica schist soil contributes to the minerality and freshness of this wine, the longer ageing gives it stability and the time spent in stainless steell, before bottling, integrates all the elements and makes the wine more compact and alive.

The 2013 harvest began on 19 August, earlier than usual, in order to maintain the high levels of acidity and avoid high degrees of alcohol. It was a more productive year, around 25% better than 2012. The decision to start harvesting earlier turned out to be the right one, since the main vineyards had already been harvested before it started raining heavily on the 27th September.

Coche has its origin in vineyards with more than 70 years old, located in the right bank of Douro river at 600m high. After selection in the vine, the grapes were transported in a refrigerated lorry in 25kg boxes. A second sorting took place at the winery’s entrance. During the night, the grapes were softly pressed and decanted for a 24 hour period. The alcoholic fermentation occured in French oak 228L barrels (mainly used). During its ageing in barrels (a small part in new barrels) for 12 months, Coche made the malolactic fermentation, without bâttonage or racking.

Tasting Notes
Coche shows a very intense and deep mineral side. Aroma of great complexity, luxurious and very elegant in the toasty notes. It has a citrus profile with beautiful floral notes. On the palate, with firm acidity and fresh, is very elegant in fresh fruit notes and has a slightly salty profile. Great volume, with a good concentration, where the barrel is in full harmony with the wine, with dried fruit memories. Very delicate, fine and persistent finish. A very serious white, to be enjoyed in Burgundy type of glass.

Technical Information
Producer

Niepoort (Vinhos) S.A.
Region

Douro
Soil Type

Mica Schist
Vineyards

Several vineyards
Average Vine Age

Over 80 years
Grape Varieties

Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Arinto and others
Vines per HA

6500
Pruning Method

Guyot
Alt. from Sea Level

600-750
Harvest Period

September
Harvest Method

Hand picked
Malolactic

Barrel
Fermentation

French oak barrels
Bottled

December 2014
Ageing

14 months in French oak 228L barrels, part of it new.
Dry Extract

17.2
Residual Sugar (g/dm3)

0.6
Alcohol (%)

12.5
pH

3.38
Total Acidity (g/dm3)

4.5
Volatile Acidity (g/dm3)

0.5
Free SO2 at Bottling (mg/dm3)

31
Total SO2 (mg/dm3)

94
Volumic Mass (g/cm3)

0.9884
Production

2.913 bottles
Food Suggestions

Baked fish, white meat. Cream based dishes. Gratins. Risotto. Vegetarian suggestions: vegetable Lasagna, Portobello mushrooms.