For The Love Of Port

(Finished bottle) I often find that this decade’s Niepoort Vintage Ports aligns very closely with what I enjoy most stylistically in a VP; nonetheless, with 49 foil wrapped bottles before me, I had no idea which was which. From the first sip and until bottle #39 was near empty, (not to mention a 2nd bottle hand carried back to the USA) everything about it appealed to my senses. The nose was crammed with dark berry fruits and earthy notes from smoky cedar and tobacco, to spicy white pepper, cinnamon stick and an herbal, pine resin undertone. Like great Madeira, each whiff presented its own mélange of new scents. Fantastic as it was, I preferred the intricacy of the fresh and driven palate presence. Like the Portmaker himself, the 2007 Niepoort possesses many layers of character. This Port leads a procession of incongruent qualities: massive density and concentration of fruit yet sensual freshness on the palate and great harmony overall. Insanely tannic and grippy, yet voluptuous velvet textural pleasure in the mouth along with easy approachability. One of the most profound and longest finishes of any bottle I tasted during a week in Portugal, with 40-60 years of cellar
worthiness ahead of it, yet I’d open a bottle to share with friends during or after dinner tonight. It’s all there in a hedonistic brew, harmonious and complex. 96-98+ points

For The Love Of Port

Wine Enthusiast

An impressive, balanced wine from master winemaker Dirk van Niepoort. Chocolate and licorice flavors dominate the fruit, giving a wine that has weight, complexity and at the same time elegance. The tannins offer a dense, dry structure. It is tight, solid and certainly for aging.

Revista Adega, Melhor Vinho

Aromatically, the most spectacular Port of the promising 2007 vintage (tasted alongside 28 other 2007 Vintages). Intoxicating aromas of ripe fruit (cherries, redcurrants, etc.), chocolate, liquorice and spices. On the palate, it is complete, combining strength, power, sweetness and elegance. A very long and persistent finish. Perhaps one of the most approachable among all the 2007 Vintages tasted, but even so, it would be a sin to open a bottle today. Drink 2013–2035. 20% alcohol.

Jamie Goode

Wine Spectator

Very enticing aromas of violet, blueberry and sandalwood follow through to a full body, with medium sweetness, ultrarefined tannins and a very long finish. This just coats the mouth with fabulous fruit and supersilky tannins. Chewy, yet friendly and harmonious. So fine. Best after 2017. 2,200 cases made, 170 cases imported.

Falstaff

Dark, almost black garnet, opaque core, ruby reflections. Intense notes of orange peel on the nose, delicate nougat, hints of kumquat, green nut, fine suede, exotic spice, fresh plum. Powerful and very complex on the palate, notes of apricot, brownie, a touch of Sachertorte, fruity chocolate banana, very well-structured, good length, slight vanilla touch on the finish, fine vegetal hints on the back palate, again reminiscent of green nut. It has sure ageing potential.

Tastingbook.com

Robert Parker

A step above is the 2007 Niepoort Vintage Port which delivers a superb bouquet of fruitcake, plum, incense, blueberry, and licorice. Elegant on the palate but with layers of rich, succulent fruit, this intense, smooth-textured, impeccably balanced wine will have a lengthy drinking window extending from 2017 to 2037. It is one of the stars of the vintage.

Jancis Robinson

Mid crimson, not the bluest by a long chalk. Fragrant with some black pepper and then extremely luscious at first with an impressive register of ripe tannins closing in on the finish. Real velvet glove with an iron fist hidden inside. Complex, different wine that has admirable freshness rather than being formulaic. Full of life. Rather playful.

Vivino

(219 bedømmelser, 04-10-2026)