2020 Niepoort Amigos Dao Branco (Quinta de Baixo)

The 2020 Niepoort Amigos Dao Branco is a pale, elegantly balanced white that celebrates rare local varieties alongside Encruzado. Crafted without any oak influence and aged in cement tanks, this bottling is a deliberate study in freshness and mineral clarity, capturing the granitic signature of Dão and the natural acidity of a challenging vintage.  The unique special edition label features a drawing of father and son winemakers Dirk and Daniel Niepoort alongside celebrity Portuguese chef, Nuno Mendes.  

Winemaking:

What makes this wine special is its blend of near-extinct grapes - Borrado das Moscas, Rabo de Ovelha and Cercial - together with Encruzado, all coming from old vines planted at roughly six hundred metres above sea level. The grapes were hand-picked, fermented and completed malolactic in stainless steel to retain freshness, then matured in cement tanks to build a silky mid-palate while keeping oak out of the equation. The result is a versatile, food-friendly white with clear ageing potential and vegan certification.

Pairing Suggestions:

The Amigo Dao Branco’s citrus backbone and subtle herbal notes make it an excellent match for delicate white fish, light salads and all manner of white meats; it also partners well with hard, mild cheeses. Vegetarian pairings such as grilled courgette and lemon quinoa or a warm goat’s-cheese tart will accentuate the wine’s mineral drive and floral lift.

Tasting Note:

Very pale lemon in the glass, the 2020 Amigo Branco opens with crisp white blossom and mineral notes that reflect its granitic soils. The palate shows good body and a silky texture, framed by bright citrus acidity, gentle orchard fruit and a hint of fresh herbs, carrying through to a long, clean finish with persistent freshness.

Origin:

Dão, Portugal

Alcohol:

12.0%

Blend:

Encruzado, Borrado das Moscas, Rabo de Ovelha, Cercial