For The Love Of Port

KOPKE VIRTUAL TASTING - Virtual (8/16/2021)

This tasting was conducted virtually with a six-test tube sample kit shipped from the Kopke importer.

• 2003 Kopke White Colheita Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Pale yellow in color. Honey, apricot, dried flowers, and clove on the nose. Honey, dried apricots, and spices on the rich palate. The richness flows through to the complex finish with honey, and some light lemon notes. (92 pts.)
• Kopke 20-Year-Old White Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Yellow gold in color. Some peaches and tropical fruit notes on the nose with honey and caramel. Good acidity. Flavors of grapefruit and honey on the palate create a sense of balance between acidity and sweetness. There is also a hint of spice during the transition from the mid-palate to the finish. Nice long finish with bright acidity. (91 pts.)
• Kopke 20 Year Old Tawny Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color. Mahogany and vanilla notes on the nose. Rich, sweet mouthfeel. A touch of bitterness on the palate with toffee, spice, and some espresso. Very long, expanding finish with vanilla notes, and a good balance between the sweetness and acidity. (92 pts.)
• 1981 Kopke Colheita Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color. Old oak barrel notes with some vanilla and honey on the nose. Tons of vanilla, richness, and a smooth flavor profile on the palate. Great, complex finish with wonderful rich notes coming in wave after wave. (93 pts.)
• 1966 Kopke Colheita Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color with tinges of green on the rim. Tobacco leaves, teak, and herbal notes on the nose. Extremely smooth, rich flavor profile with well-concentrated flavors of citrus, caramel, and vanilla. A little bit of spirit on the long, lingering finish. (94 pts.)
• 1957 Kopke Colheita Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2021. Amber-brown in color with just a touch of green on the rim. Orange spice, caramelized brown sugar, and an incredibly complex, rich mouthfeel. The acidity is well-balanced with the sweetness, and the long finish is marked by wave after wave of rich, but extremely smooth combination of flavors, acidity, and sweetness. (96 pts.)

I was a point higher on each of the last 2 (95/97 for me), but otherwise we're in lock-step. Quite a nice flight of Ports!

Yes, I went back and forth on those last two. I wouldn't argue with anyone who gave them an extra point. I think my samples may have improved a little with some additional time in the glass. I poured them just before the tasting. That was fun!

Relatively speaking I had a similar outcome--I had the 1966 at 96 Points and the 1957 at 98 Points and generally concur in relative positions. Loved the 2003 White Colheita. To me just an outstanding line up in its cohesiveness, demonstration of the house style and build up. Bravo!