Kopke Releases 2020 Vintage Port
Kopke,the oldest Port wine house, is delighted to declare 2020 vintage Port after noticing the extraordinary quality of their grapes. Port Houses only declare a vintage when at least one of their vineyard plots yields exceptional grapes; Kopke has decidedthatQuintadeSão Luiz, the original vineyard comprising two plots of old vines, achieved the necessary levels of color and fruit extractionforVintage declaration in2020.2020 was a year full of challenges. In addition to the COVID pandemic that caused logistical constraints, extreme weather conditions, such as a hot and dry month of May which scorched vineyards and rain in August, also resulted in low yields. Despite these difficulties, the grapes harvested by Kopke had an excellent skin/pulp ratio and a high sugar content, which allowed for longer fermentations with superior extraction of color and tannins. Thanks to the remarkable grape quality, Kopke vintage 2020 is expected to have a complex and elegant structure with promising density, harmony, and richness. Opaque in color with violet tinges, Kopke Vintage 2020 features aromas of blackberry and blueberry, with a hint of dark chocolate, white pepper, orange blossom, bergamot, and light mint. On the palate, it is intense and complex, with an excellent balance between sweetness and acidity as well as very firm tannins and a long-lasting finish. Carlos Alves, Master Blender & Winemaker of Kopke, says: “The 2020 harvest was marked by a series of adversities that made it one of the most challenging years in my career. In spite of all this, this vintage exceeded all expectations. Fortunately, this vintage has produced wines of excellent quality, with very refined tannins, displaying a certain elegance in the wines.”AboutKopke Port Wine:Kopke Port Wine (Portugal), est. 1638, is the oldest Port wine house. Located in the upper Douro DOC, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site since 2001, Kopkebenefits from the imposing geography of the Douro Valley: the plunging valleys allow vines to be planted from altitudes of 1,900 feet on the upper ridges, down to 230 feet alongside the river, with immensely diverse terroirs. Kopke wines are sourced and produced in Quinta São Luiz, one of the most important estates in Douro region.This 300-acre estate has 220 acres planted to traditional Portuguese grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Cão. There are also small plots of Tinta Barroca and Souzão. Kopke is also opening a small inn, The VineHouse, at Quinta São Luiz this July.
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