Cuvée: Primata
Vintage: 2019
Grape(s): Touriga Nacional & friends
Region, Country: Duoro, Portugal
Size: 1000 ml

One of the newest NAT'Cool! in the range, Primata is the result of Dirk Niepoort giving his cellar master Luís Pedro a push to make his own wine in 2016. Half the blend is Touriga Nacional grapes, with the rest a mix of old vine Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, all from vineyards at 600m in the Douro Valley's Tabuaço region. Whole bunch and foot-trodden, this was macerated and native fermented in lagares before being pressed into stainless, for a 6 month rest. Opening with a wave of reduction, this crunchy, bright red streams black currant, rhubarb, green raspberry, scrubby rockrose on a lifted palate. Tannins are fine and light, holding this to an astringent finish. Very natty, very cool; chill and crack this 10.5%, 1L bottle now.