Clos Crappe
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release, though its vibrant acidity and structural integrity allow it to evolve gracefully for even longer.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted lamb, wild mushroom risotto, grilled game meats
✨ Technical Specifications
Clos Crappe (often known as Clos de Crappe) is one of Dirk Niepoort's most rebellious and highly sought-after creations. The tongue-in-cheek name is a playful, self-deprecating nod that contrasts sharply with the serious, artisanal liquid inside the bottle. This wine is a tribute to the traditional, field-blended vineyards of the Douro Valley, sourced from ancient vines planted on steep, schistose slopes. Crafted with minimal intervention, the grapes undergo foot-treading in traditional granite lagares with a high proportion of whole clusters, followed by spontaneous fermentation and extended aging in old, neutral wooden casks. The result is a wine of immense character, combining rustic, earthy undertones with vibrant acidity, wild berry fruit, and a deep, mineral-driven finish that captures the wild soul of the Douro.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1842 by Franciscus Marius van der Niepoort, Niepoort is an iconic, independent family-owned house based in Vila Nova de Gaia with historic roots deeply anchored in Portugal's Douro Valley. Renowned for over a century for its benchmark Colheita and Vintage Ports, the estate underwent a dynamic renaissance under fifth-generation visionary Dirk Niepoort, who pioneered the modern era of high-end, unfortified Douro table wines. Championing old field-blend vineyards, low-intervention vinification, and exceptional terroir expression, the producer crafts celebrated dry wines such as Batuta, Charme, and Redoma alongside its expanded projects in Bairrada and the Dão. Today, Niepoort remains a globally revered symbol of Portuguese winemaking, seamlessly bridging timeless fortified heritage with innovative, elegant, and mineral-driven table wines.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão