2011 Niepoort - Batuta (92 pts) #winereview - The first

2011 Niepoort - Batuta (92 pts) #winereview - The first thing you notice is the medium purple color of the wine. A medium intensity nose that shows ripe black (blackberry, bramble) and red (raspberry) fruit. There are some very high toned notes like that of balsamic vinegar, possibly volatile acidity? Oak (smoke, baking spices) notes are restrained, but present. Medium+ acidity that leaves your mouth watering, medium+ ripe and really well integrated tannins, medium alcohol and medium body. The palate is a lot more expressive with an overall higher intensity. Layers of red and black fruit combined with a creamy texture that fades into those fine grained and chalky tannins. This wine needs time, it's extracted and restrained at the same time. I am scoring for how I feel it will be drinking in the future and right now I would knock a few points off. I feel the nose is a tad muted at the moment, but the palate compensates for a lot. #wineterroir #winegeek #winelover