Niepoort Baixo Lagar de Baixo Tinto Bairrada 2021

94 Points, James Suckling
This Lagar de Baixo, the entry-level wine that Niepoort makes in Bairrada, opens up with blackberries, violets, stones and a subtle earthy note. The palate is medium-bodied and really supple, with silky tannins, tender fruit and an ethereal finish. Drink now or hold

93 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2021 Lagar de Baixo has around 30% grapes from producers and the rest from their property and, hence, is not certified organic like the other wines from their own vineyards. They had a heat wave in July and August and only about four days of rain during the harvest, which is a problem; because the Baga skin is quite thin and the bunches are tight, the skins can burst and botrytis appears. So, the harvest in Bairrada has to be “surgical,” as winemaker Sergio told me. They managed to get good fruit by sorting and selecting. The destemmed grapes fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in 2,500-liter oak vats for 22 months. It has a pale, translucent ruby color that is clean and bright. It’s easy to drink and has fine tannins, without the concentration and tannins of the older vines (but this comes from vines of around 40 years of age) and has the chalkiness of the limestone soils. It makes you salivate and want to drink more. It has 12% alcohol, vibrant freshness and purity of flavors.