Note: BOTTLES ARE FROM DIFFERENT YEARS (1999, 2000) BATUTA 1999 0,75L 14º Producer Niepoort Portugal Douro Grape varieties Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz 96 pts Robert Parker - Very intense and vivid colour. The aroma shows great complexity, with plum and red fruit flavours, spicy notes of black and green pepper and elegant notes of the local Mediterranean shrubs. Strong mineral character and aromas of smoked meat. On the palate it is very elegant, with great freshness and a firm structure with velvety tannins. It's subtle with intense fruit flavours and impressive acidity. Great persistence on the palate to last for many years in the bottle. Vinification: After careful selection, both in the vineyard and in the winery, fermentation took place in stainless steel cone-shaped vats and wooden barrels, with maceration for around 60 days. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, with 25% new oak, where malolactic fermentation took place. Grape varieties: Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Rufete, Malvasia Preta Tasting notes: Very intense and vivid colour. The aroma shows great complexity, with aromas of plums and red fruit, spicy notes of black and green pepper and elegant notes of the local Mediterranean shrubs. Strong mineral character and aromas of smoked meat. On the palate it is very elegant, with great freshness and a firm structure with velvety tannins. It's subtle with intense fruit flavours and impressive acidity. Great persistence on the palate to last for many years in the bottle. Storage and serving tips: Storage Lying down at a temperature of 15°C. Serve at a temperature of 16°C to 18°C. Food pairing: Very flexible with food; kind of "adapts" to different meat or fish dishes such as monkfish. Reviews and awards: . 96 points Robert Parker; . 18 points Revista de Vinhos; . 18 points Vinho Grandes Escolhas