Niepoort Diàlogo Tinto Douro 2022

Dirk Niepoort is one of the best winemakers in the world. That's not an exaggeration. This is his entry-level red, which is like saying someone bought a Porsche as their "around town" car. But here we are.

The grapes come from the Cima Corgo, the central part of the Douro, where the slopes are steep, the soil is schist, and the climate is extreme. That's a fancy way of saying this is fresher, leaner, more mineral than the big, monster Douros you might have had. No jam bombs here. The blend is Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, from vines up to 40 years old. Native fermented in stainless, then aged six months in a mix of stainless and oak.

Fresh black raspberry, cherry, plum, a juicy core, slight sticky tannins, bright acidity. 12.5% alcohol, which means you can have more than one glass without needing a nap.

One critic called it "always such a satisfying wine, capturing the energy of Douro reds but making it fragrant, open and appealing at the same time." I agree. Drink it now. Don't overthink it. That's the point.