Avis professionnels
Robert Parker (93)
The 2017 Charme is a field blend, heavy on Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca (especially Tinta Roriz), aged for 15 months in used French barriques. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This, unlike most of the upper-level reds here, was in bottle when seen (and for about four months after that). More nuanced than the Batuta, and probably a little deeper, this is equally fresh, with a slight meaty aftertaste. There's not a lot of stuffing, but there never is in this wine (typically meant to have a Burgundian style). This is a fine Charme, though. It is structured, refined and bright, with lifted fruit and a long finish. It should age beautifully. This has never been my favorite bottling in Niepoort's stable, but it looks like one of my favorite Charmes ever, a worthy companion to the 2015.
Winespectator (94)
A suave red, with refined tannins and a profile exhibiting raspberry and currant notes mixed with rose petal, sandalwood and mineral flavors. Vivid acidity binds everything together, with wild herb, tea and smoke notes echoing on the long finish. Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca.
Decanter (93)
Relatively pale, with suggestions of damp earth and mushroom. In the mouth, crunchy, bright blackcurrant and red berry fruit is animated by refreshing acidity which, together with fine and pithy tannins, maintains line and length. Principally fermented in French oak barrels (10% new) after an intense but brief period of treading whole bunches by foot in lagares. The fruit comes from 70+-year old vineyards in the Vale de Mendiz, Pinhão Valley.
