What have you opened this week?

[Al B.]

Kopke 1965 colheita, bottled in 2022. Definitely not corked, but the bottom of the bottle was full of fine sediment so I decanted it carefully, losing only a single pour that was cloudy, with the rest of the bottle crystal clear.

How is the '65? Have you had the '66 and '67? Are they all comparable?

It’s intense and concentrated, just as you expect. The acidity is a little more obvious than I’d expect, but that just gives the wine a nice freshness. It’s a good Port, but not quite as good as ‘66 or ‘67 — but still a good choice to celebrate a friend’s 60’th birthday.

[Mike J. W.]

Kopke 1965 colheita, bottled in 2022. Definitely not corked, but the bottom of the bottle was full of fine sediment so I decanted it carefully, losing only a single pour that was cloudy, with the rest of the bottle crystal clear.

How is the '65? Have you had the '66 and '67? Are they all comparable?

It’s intense and concentrated, just as you expect. The acidity is a little more obvious than I’d expect, but that just gives the wine a nice freshness. It’s a good Port, but not quite as good as ‘66 or ‘67 — but still a good choice to celebrate a friend’s 60’th birthday.

Thanks Alex. I have a '65 (bottled 2015) and a couple of '67's (bottled 2023) that I haven't tried yet but am curious about. I'll pick up a '66 one of these days.

[Glenn E.]

Kopke 1965 colheita, bottled in 2022. Definitely not corked, but the bottom of the bottle was full of fine sediment so I decanted it carefully, losing only a single pour that was cloudy, with the rest of the bottle crystal clear.

How is the '65? Have you had the '66 and '67? Are they all comparable?

For me, the '66 is easily the best Kopke of that decade. The '64 and '65 are comparable. I've probably had the '67 but can't place it right now, so can't really say how it might compare to the '64 and '65.

[Mike J. W.]

1987 Ferreira VP. It has one hell of a nose on it. It's probably the most intoxicating bouquet that I've smelled on a Port other than the 1970 Andresen Colheita which was otherworldly. A tasting note will follow in the next day or two.

[Al B.]

Warre 1994, a bottle from the 2021 library release.

Absolutely delicious, at that lovely point where it starts to develop the complexity and nuances of adulthood.

[John M.]

For Easter 1995 Smith Woodhouse Madalena....to me an awesome Port and is so primary for a 30 year old. Many years left!...Hard to keep hands off them now.

[Andy Velebil]

For Easter 1995 Smith Woodhouse Madalena....to me an awesome Port and is so primary for a 30 year old. Many years left!...Hard to keep hands off them now.

I have one on death row for sometime this year. Glad to hear it's still doing very well.

[A.S. Demka]

DR white colheita 2010. Great wine, friendly priced

[Roy Hersh]

I didn't open it, but a friend at Kopke did and the 1934 Kopke Colheita was amongst the best of their Colheitas I've ever had. Incredibly dark brown with a greenish-golden meniscus, broad and providing evidence of its age. I will post a photo of FB or IG tomorrow. It was gorgeous and it took me 10 minutes of nosing the glass and writing my impressions before taking the first sip. It was densely concentrated and I'd love to have it up against the 1937. I have a feeling the 1934 might give it a run for its money. It was bottled VERY recently and they are talking about a release of the 2025 bottling, soon. I kind of thought it would have made more sense to do the release when it hit 90 last year ... but who am I to question these things.

[Eric Ifune]

Kopke 2003 White.
It's starting to warm up here.

[Lucas S]

88 Churchill Crusted

Interesting port, cherry candy note with some citrus but a bit "watered." Has some other complexity that I can't quite pin down. It's ready, a bit hot though. Hasn't really improved overnight, I'd probably pop n' pour the next one. Bottom half of the cork shattered, I fished the noticeable pieces all out but microfragments might be making it seem more woody than it's supposed to be.

[Glenn E.]

2003 Kopke Colheita Branco
1964 Casa do Douro Colheita Branco
Brunheda 40+ Year Old Tawny Port

Another "educational" tasting for some people going on tour in a couple of weeks.

[Mike J. W.]

1995 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas, from a half bottle. Very tasty!

[John M.]

1997 Ferreira.....but it was not right, not cooked but off. Still in the decanter but seems like a Hail Mary. Had opened to sit around the firepit and drink with a couple friends so I popped and poured a 1995 Vista Allegre Colheita. bottled in 2010. Dark as light coffee and overall rather average....15 years in the bottle were not helpful (the T-Cork failed so I decanted due to so much broken cork---this threw of a bit of sediment as well.)

[Eric Ifune]

1966 Kopke Colheita.

[Mike J. W.]

1997 Souza VP. A solid if unremarkable Port. Tasting note to follow.

[Glenn E.]

1997 Souza VP. A solid if unremarkable Port. Tasting note to follow.

Makes for a good "game night" Port.

[Mike J. W.]

1997 Souza VP. A solid if unremarkable Port. Tasting note to follow.

Makes for a good "game night" Port.

I agree.

Some of the heat and rough edges have dissipated on night 2 and it is drinking better. I'll post my tasting note after I try it again tonight.

[John M.]

1997 Souza VP. A solid if unremarkable Port. Tasting note to follow.

Makes for a good "game night" Port.

I agree.

Some of the heat and rough edges have dissipated on night 2 and it is drinking better. I'll post my tasting note after I try it again tonight.

The Souza buying op was so awesome.....amazing cellar defenders and quite enjoyable and the price was amazing. I may have one left, unless I traded them all to you, Mike. For all you non-member lurkers out there, if you want to see one of the best joys of being a member, read through the archives to this Buying-OP. Nice, well aged Ports at a phenomenal price.

[Glenn E.]

The Souza buying op was so awesome.....amazing cellar defenders and quite enjoyable and the price was amazing. I may have one left, unless I traded them all to you, Mike. For all you non-member lurkers out there, if you want to see one of the best joys of being a member, read through the archives to this Buying-OP. Nice, well aged Ports at a phenomenal price.

I bought 6 cases during that buying op - 2 of each vintage. I think I still have a case of the 1987 left, but I'm down to 4-5 bottles each of the 1995 and 1997.