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Wine Description
The Story
In 2004 Dirk and his designer Cordula Allesandri launched a project to produce an appealing label for the german market with the aim to bring DOURO wines closer to the german wine consumer. Wilhem Busch storyboard label and the name FABELHAFT was the result. After the success in german speaking markets, Niepoort began to develop labels for other countries i.e.: Portugal (Diálogo), Norway (Fabelaktig), Finland (Sarvet), Allez Santé (Belgium), ETO CARTA (Japan), Fantasi (Denmark), Drink Me (UK), Twisted (USA), Berek (Poland), Gestolen Fiets (Holand), OO JA PAEV( Estonia), Ubuntu (South Africa), Sasta (Ireland), Conversa (Brazil)…. A logistical nightmare but a rewarding project for Niepoort team and Niepoort-fans. In July 2011 Fabelhaft Branco and Diálogo Branco were launched.
Wine Information
As in previous years, Fabelhaft 2009 is a pleasant, easy drinking red wine, but with complexity, mineral notes and great depth, found in the classic Douro wines. Fabelhaft is produced from vineyards located in the Cima Corgo sub-region, being the main varieties, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela and Tinta Barroca. 2009 is an intense wine, full of Douro character, with great freshness, showing smooth tannins and fruity aromas.
Vinification
2009 was a very fresh year until the beginning of August. A good amount of water in the soil and a cold weather, unusual in the Douro Valley, was leading us to a long maturation season. But incredible high temperatures from 12th of August onwards, resulted in a very fast maturation process all over the region without any shrivel berry. Harvest started earlier, in the beginning of September.
The fermentation occurred in stainless still vats, with 8 to 15 days of total skin contact. Only 20% of the wine aged in used French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
The color is darker than the previous year and reveals intense red and black fruit aromas with spicy and wet stone notes. On the palate the wine is rich but fresh with soft tannins and an excellent acidity providing a long lasting after taste.