2022 Niepoort Baga 'Nat Cool', Bairrada, Portugal (1L)

Dirk Niepoort's NAT'Cool! range of wines were created to meet certain criteria : be made as naturally as possible, be low alcohol, be terroir-driven, use native grapes to the region, be affordable, and be so smashable that it's only sold in 1L bottles. In 2020, the Nat Cool family grew, with this foray into the Dão region, and grapes from the granite slopes of the Serra da Estrela Mountain Range. This is a blend of 40-80 year old vines of Jaen, Tinta Pinheira, Alfrocheiro, Baga, and Touriga Nacional. This was native fermented and aged 6 months in stainless. Pouring a pale hue, this slight red is lifted with wild flowers, wild herbs, perfumed wild cherry and plum, all laced with grippy, granitic texture, and framed with long, light tannins. The finish lingers with light white pepper and crushed stones. Certainly smashable.