Quinta de Baixo Vinhas Velhas Branco 2016

“The 2016 Branco Vinhas Velhas is a 60/40 blend of Bical and Maria Gomes, aged for 20 months in old 1,000-liter fuders. It comes in very dry and at 12% alcohol. This takes the Faria Branco and adds more concentration and focus. The style is roughly the same, though—neither is exactly a fat and fruity white. For all of its grace and precision, though, this has tension on the finish and the ability to linger. It should age very well, something I expect from top Bairrada whites all the time. Niepoort said that the 2015s “were more beautiful, but the 2016s have more tension.” They were both beautifully balanced to me, and I’m not sure which I’d pick just now. It is worth noting that this was only in bottle about two weeks when seen. It has some room to grow, so we’ll see how it goes as these both age. It is set for release in September. Drink: 2018-2034. 94 points

This is, of course, now a Niepoort property. Dirk Niepoort bought this property in 2012, starting afresh with no inventory and his own ideas. He was hardly a neophyte in Baga and Bairrada, of course, having made wine in the region in the 1990s and later consulting as well.“

Mark Squires, Wine Advocate (08/18)