The 2010 REDOMA BRANCO, sourced from high altitude vineyards, is a typical old vines Douro white blend (40-80 years), aged for 9 months in French oak and vinified without maloactic fermentation. Quite lovely this year, this melds oak and acidity together beautifully, becoming fresh and graceful, yet lingering quite well on the finish. Gentle, flavorful and classy, it is a very elegant regular Redoma that surprises with its underlying solidity and persistence, despite its affable beginnings. Drink now-2017. Niepoort's output, largely from old vines and high altitude, always has a certain refinement and elegance in common, even in the biggest vintages. It is an interesting aspect of this warm weather wine region. In 2009, a big vintage for most of the rest of the region, the reds seem generally restrained and quite crisp, a little eccentric compared to the typical Douro output in this year. Normally, I feel Niepoort does extremely well in the bigger vintages. This year, I am less sure. Importers: Martine's Wines, Inc., Novato, CA.; tel: (415) 883-0400; except in New York/New Jersey: Eric Solomon, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565.