NV Niepoort Ruby Port

[Todd Pettinger]

Niepoort Ruby Port [NV]

For a class of ports considered to be the lowest of the bunch, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot from this Ruby. But since Niepoort is not seen much of in the market I am in, I decided to pick one up to sip on over the next few days while I am on call. (I didn’t want to waste a bottle of a good LBV or VP sitting out over multiple days where I could not enjoy it as I would like to, as when I am on call, the whole world screeches to a halt for a week. Note: as I typed this note I was paged for the fourth time this evening and dispatched on yet another “the sky is falling” incident.”)

Pop ‘n pour, this port showed excessive amounts of spirit in the nose and I was bracing myself for a harsh ride. When I finally found the courage to sample the spirited port, a wonderful floral and fruit bouquet awaited. Showing no signs of the excessive nose, the spirit seemed quite nicely integrated and I was pleasantly surprised.

There are a lot of people that rate Niepoort’s Ports very highly, and as I have never tried one yet, my expectations were high, although I was prepared to be disappointed by the Ruby. Surprising good, this ruby had a more complex nose than I have ever experienced on a “plain ruby Port” with grapes, cherries, a touch of blackberries and vanilla, cedar and chocolate near the end. A pleasant Port, it has a short, crisp, clipped finish but leaves me mouthwatering and wanting more.

In the end, a very, very good ruby offering, one which will replace Graham’s Six Grapes as a household sipper if the local shop that carries this can keep it in stock.

***I own a single bottle of the Niepoort 2000 VP, the only other bottle I have seen in the Edmonton market aside from the ’91 magnum I was going to buy a few months back but never got around to. This experience with the Ruby has enlightened me enough to really want to open up that bottle and I would after I am off call, if not for the fact that it is FAR too early to be opening a 2000 VP of the stature that would entice Roy to include the 2000 Niepoort VP in his Top 12.***

Todd