En Primeur 2016

Douro, Bairrada and Dão 2016 by Dirk Van Der Niepoort

Douro, Bairrada and Dão 2016 by Dirk Van Der Niepoort

Quinta de Nápoles - Batuta and Coche 2016 was an extremely unusual vintage in the Douro Valley. We experienced a harsh winter with plenty of rainfall, which raised the moisture content of the soils to levels far above average. In addition, spring brought constantly low temperatures and therefore unfavourable conditions for pollination and flowering, affecting grape development and yields. During the months of July and August, high average temperatures were recorded, whereas in September the average did not exceed 21.7 degrees Celsius. Harvest began on 18 August and ended on 28 September. Due…Read more
Château Rocheyron 2016

Château Rocheyron 2016

"The 2016 vintage at Château Rocheyron was without a doubt one of the most iconic in the history of the château. We launched in 2010 with one clear idea: using biodynamics to produce a wine like the great wines of the 1940's and 1950's. This idea guided us as we renovated the winery facilities and applied the precepts of Rudolf Steiner to the vineyard. The results have proven spectacular, allowing each of the estate's different terroirs to be very precisely expressed. Everything was in place, and we expected nothing short of an excellent…Read more
Le Pin 2016

Le Pin 2016

The Janus effect of the 2016 vintage will remain in our memories for a long time. A winter where the temperatures remained cold and the rain never stopped; followed by a summer where it was hot, sunny and dry from July until November. The same amount of rain fell during the first six months of 2016 (500 mm) as for the entire year of 2015. By contrast, not one drop of rain fell from the middle of the June until the 14th of August; two months of drought which challenged the vines that…Read more
2016 – The Best of All

2016 – The Best of All

We will not curb our enthusiasm – we have a very good vintage on our hands. A miracle according to some, when you bear in mind the adverse conditions at the beginning of the year. However the result is unquestionably there – in the vats, the juice is of an exceptional quality because the grapes ripened perfectly. A special alchemy of incredible levels of sunshine and rain arriving just when required. In the living memories of the winemakers, we have never seen such a level of success and consistency across the region, with the slight exception…Read more