2006 Niepoort Twisted Douro

[Andy Velebil]

I was shocked to see this Niepoort dry wine at a wine store not to far from my house. The only place I've seen this wine for sale in the US. I was under the impression this line was not for the American market and was mainly for the Netherlands / Germany areas. They have quite the funny labels and I'll post a pic in a bit when I have time. It was only $16 so I grabbed one to try. Anyone try this wine?

[Frederick Blais]

Never had the Twisted version, but it is the same wine that goes in the multi-brand Douro wine from Niepoort. The idea is to fit a label for different country/cultures. The Original version was the Fabelhaft for Netherlands and Germany. Now it is made for many countries, more to come too.

I did not try the 2006 yet, but knowing that some better wines of the Niepoort has not been made or their quantities reduced, some good juice could have end up is this. 2005 was a huge leap in quality for this cuvée.

[Andy Velebil]

Thanks Fred. I probably won't get to open it this week as I'm heading out of town, but hopefully next week.

[Jan-Tore Egge]

This must be the same as (or similar to) the "Fabelaktig Douro" that we get here in Norway. A very enjoyable wine offering excellent VFM.

[Andy Velebil]

I've never had any of the "Fabel..." wines from Niepoort so I am courious to see how it holds up against another relative QPR of mine, the Qd Crasto Old Vines Reserva.

[Ronald Wortel]

Andy, you shouldn't compare the wine with the Reserva from Crasto, but rather with their regular Douro. It's about in the same league (and should be more or less in the same price area). I always find Fabelhaft (or Gestolen Fiets, as it is called in the Netherlands) a nice everyday wine. But I tend to like Lavradores' Tres Bagos a little better for only a slightly higher amount of money.

[Andy Velebil]

Ronald, good point, but this one falls in the between price of the Crasto "Douro" and the the Reserva. But I am aware this is a more basic wine than the later. I don't expect a ton out of it, but was wondering more if its worth spending the extra few bucks for the Reserva instead. Hopefully later this week I'll get to it, as its first up on the dry wine death row