Clos Crappe
⏳ wine.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.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted lamb, wild mushroom risotto, grilled game meats
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1842 by Franciscus Marius van der Niepoort, Niepoort is an independent, family-owned Port and wine producer headquartered in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Under the visionary leadership of fifth-generation winemaker Dirk Niepoort, the house has seamlessly bridged its legendary Port heritage with groundbreaking dry still wines from the Douro, Bairrada, and Dão regions. Renowned for maintaining traditional methods such as foot-treading in granite lagares and aging in historic pipes, Niepoort produces highly acclaimed Colheita and Vintage Ports alongside iconic, elegant still wines like Redoma, Batuta, and Charme.