Natura Determinado 2018: Vitor Matos e Dirk Niepoort

Natura Determinado 2018

Natura By Vítor Matos Determinado 2018 is a signature DOC Douro red wine, born from the partnership between chef Vítor Matos and Dirk Niepoort at Quinta de Nápoles. Produced in only 625 bottles, it comes from century-old vines planted on the slopes of the Douro.

Vintage 2018

2018 was a cool year until August, with the coldest July of the 21st century. Ripening was delayed by about three weeks compared to 2017, but the heatwave in early August (4 August was the hottest day of the century) and the long September allowed for complete phenolic ripening, resulting in musts with low alcohol content, great lightness and great aromatic complexity.

Vinification

After a very rigorous selection in the vineyard and in the winery, the grapes from old vines fermented in stainless steel vats, with long skin maceration, around 80 days. They then went to a single 500-litre French oak barrel, where the wine aged for approximately 28 months. Bottled in January 2021.

Tasting notes

The nose evokes other places: mushrooms, dry leaves, forest notes and a subtle spiciness. On the palate, it is delicate and fresh, with restrained fruit that reveals itself little by little, supported by fine tannins and an elegant texture. A disconcerting and cerebral red wine that breaks with the idea of a muscular Douro and shows, above all, a determined character.

Grape varieties

Old vines over 100 years old (Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, Malvasia Preta and other traditional varieties).