The VALLE LOURO 2013 is a very special terroir wine: with every one of its aromas and flavour nuances, it reflects the South-facing vineyard slope and the deeply calcareous soils from which it stems.
This wine is 100%, Bical and the grapes growing in a very old vineyard. Thanks to its naturally high acidity, the wine has a pH level which sits below 3.0, with which it was able to undergo malolactic fermentation in our 1000L foudre barrel. This is a special, over 60-year-old barrel originating from the Mosel that lends the wine character and wonderful body.
Dirk and Daniel Niepoort have created an astounding wine here whose freshness and unique character represent a very special vineyard.
- Vinification
The harvest began at the end of August in the old vineyards. The grapes showed beautiful even ripeness, with good sugar levels and relatively high malic acid contents, giving us favourable pH levels and higher total acidity levels than in the previous year. Our white wines showed balance and beautiful freshness. The Valle Louro Branco 2013 stems from a particularly old vineyard. The wine first fermented for 4 weeks in stainless steel before completing the fermentation process in a 1000L foudre barrel where it also went through malolactic fermentation and an ageing period of 33 months. The wine was bottled unfiltered.
- Tasting Notes
The Valle-Louro white 2013 is all about vibrancy, elegance and structure. This single vineyard translates the superb profile of Bairrada and positions its whites as serious world-class wines. The superb chalky notes are revealed in combination with a slight smoky character, citrus - apricot notes and hints of honeysuckle.
The palate is outstanding. Elegant yet structured, salty and spicy. The refreshing and saline finish draws the focus to its limestone provenance. The citrus acidity adds freshness to a lingering and complex finish. A very serious and distinct white that will evolve very well in bottle and which should be enjoyed in Burgundy type glasses.
- Technical Information
-
Producer
- Quinta de Baixo (Vinhos) S.A
Region
- Bairrada
Wine Color
- White
Soil Type
- Calcareous clay
Vineyards
- Slope Vineyard
Average Vine Age
- 60 to 80 years
Grape Varieties
- Bical
Vines per HA
- 2500
Pruning Method
- Guyot
Altitude (m)
- At sea level
Harvest Period
- August
Harvest Method
- Hand picked
Malolactic
- In a foudre barrel
Fermentation
- In stainless steel tanks
Bottled
- June 2016
Ageing
- 33 months in a foudre barrel
Residual Sugar (g/dm3)
- 1.7
Alcohol (%)
- 10
pH
- 3.11
Total Acidity (g/dm3)
- 6
Volatile Acidity (g/dm3)
- 0.46
Free SO2 at Bottling (mg/dm3)
- 17
Total SO2 (mg/dm3)
- 76
Volumic Mass (g/cm3)
- 0.992
Production
- 730 Bottles
Allergens
- Sulfite
Food Suggestions
- Seafood dishes, baked fish and cod dishes. It accompanies Japanese-inspired dishes very well, with alkaline and iodized flavors (such as Nori seaweed).
Suitable for Vegans & Vegetarians
- yes
Last Updated
- 2023-03-20
Bottle
