2006 Charme Tinto

The 2006 CHARME is very light in color and thin in the mid-palate. There is a certain earthy note on the nose. It has the demeanor of a mature Burgundy in some respects. It lacks the intensity of flavor as well as the structure that we see in superior vintages like the 2004, although with air it does develop a little sweet cherry fruit that I found quite appealing. It is bright and refreshing, with a silky texture. This has some charm, but it lacks the depth, finish and distinction that one would expect from a wine in this price category in this vintage. Retasted the next day, it seemed simple, bland and relatively lifeless. Drink now-2015. One of the Douro’s icons, as well as top estates, Niepoort presents a wide range of wines, paying serious attention to whites as well as reds, and occasionally dabbling with international grapes like Riesling and Pinot Noir. His upper level wines like Batuta and Redoma Reserva Branco are among the Douro’s most sought after trophies in most vintages. His 2006 white vintage was quite good, exceeding expectations. The reds seemed to me to suffer a lot from vintage conditions, although certain decisions, like eliminating Batuta and using the juice for Redoma, often resulted in wines not too far off the 2005 red marks. Importer: Martine’s Wines, Inc., Novato, CA.; tel: (415) 883-0400; except in New York/New Jersey: Eric Solomon, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565