A unique category of Port recently approved by the IVDP due to Dirk’s successful lobbying, since his company is the only producer of this type of wine, which combines aging in pipes before further aging in glass demijohns, then decanting and bottling in 75cl bottles. The 1987 was an important one for Niepoort. In that year, and for the first time, Rolf Niepoort, Dirk’s father, turned over the reins to his son, allowing him to produce a Vintage Port, a colheita, and this Garrafeira all in his first year. A few years ago in Porto, Peter Skov from Denmark generously brought every Garrafeira ever bottled by the Niepoort family for an incredible tasting of these special Ports, with a guest list of very serious Port lovers and several Port trade members—but that was a year prior to this one being released, so this was my first time trying it. It shows a swirling mix of tawny color with flecks of ruby; singular and beautiful to look at in the glass. An aromatically compelling panoply of saddle leather, crème caramel, cinnamon spice, curry, and prune. Nothing else smells like this! In sync and sexy, smooth and voluptuous across the palate, offering extraordinary symmetry, torrefacted flavors with maple, dried dates, candied hazelnuts, and golden raisin flavors, with seamless crisp acidity and gentle tannins, which all led to a sophisticated, persistent, and elegant fresh finish. Dirk’s son Daniel bottled this wine in March 2018. Daniel attended this great Port event in LA. | 94