Niepoort Nat'Cool Drink Me Bairrada Tinto 2023
Red 14% ABV ABV NiepoortThe one that made me pay attention
I'm pretty new to wine beyond the supermarket stuff but this was something else. You can actually smell proper dark fruit when you stick your nose in, and it sort of unfolds the more you drink it. My partner said I looked ridiculous staring into my glass but honestly there's loads going on in there.
Great with steak night
Saw Niepoort recommended online somewhere and grabbed this to try. Clean finish, good acidity, and enough depth that it held up to a big ribeye without disappearing. Would happily have it again but might wait for it to go on offer.
Bit pricey for a weeknight
It's a well-made wine, no question. Dark fruit on the nose, nicely balanced, doesn't outstay its welcome. But £23.75 is steep when you're just having pasta on a Tuesday. I'd save this one for when you've got people round.
Solid Portuguese red
Bought this for a birthday dinner and it went down really well with the lamb. Loved that it wasn't too jammy — proper fruit with some bite to it. The finish hangs around just long enough to make you want another glass.
Really nice find
Picked this up after the guy at my local wine shop recommended it. The dark fruit flavours are really pronounced but not in that overly sweet way I usually hate. Genuinely surprised by how much was going on in each sip — kept noticing new things. At £23.75 it's not an everyday bottle but I'd definitely buy it again for a nice meal.
Good but not blown away
Had this at a friend's dinner party and it was fine. Nice enough dark fruit nose and decent acidity but for nearly £24 I expected a bit more wow factor. I've had Portuguese reds at half the price that I enjoyed just as much.