Kopke, Colheita Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal, 1966

Overview of the Wine
In 1638, Kopke's path as a winegrower is entwined with the history of its location. The Douro was destined to become the chosen stage for this marriage between the will of man and nature took place. Quinta de São Luiz was acquired in 1922 and has since become the place where all Kopke’s DOC Douro wines are produced. The great connoisseurs of Douro wines have always recognised this property as one of the most important in the region, for the quality of its soil and vines and for its cultural traditions. 

For many years, one of these traditions was to paint the Quinta’s stone walls white once a year. These white walls are pieces of history that are cherished to this day and underline the Douro landscape in a unique way.

In the centuries to come, Kopke will endeavour to honour its legacy, that was built with passion throughout generations.

Winemaker
Carlos Alves

Grapes/Blend
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz

Origin
Douro, Portugal

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
An intense brown colour, with a brick-coloured rim that shows its longevity. On the nose, it shows appealing aromas of dried fruit and marked notes of smoke. Silky and delicate on the palate, with remarkable structure and elegance. The flavours of plum, dried fig and vanilla are well-balanced, giving the wine a unique and distinct style. A singularly persistent finish.

Served chilled, it reveals all its finesse and sophistication, especially when drunk with desserts made with caramel, dried fruit and spice, such as caramel fondant with apple and ginger jelly, tarte tatin, crème brulée and medium-strength cheeses. Best served at a temperature between 12 and 14°C.

96 Points - Wine Advocate
The 1966 Colheita Tawny Port was bottled in 2015 with 126.3 grams per liter of residual sugar, and comes with a bar top cork (as is typical here). As we start getting seriously old in the lineup from Sogevinus this issue, this shows what you get with increasing age: the superb concentration of flavor, the long, intense finishes and the complex medley of flavors that old Tawnies deliver effortlessly. That, to me, is what makes them worth the extra bucks. If some of the youngsters lean more to caramel, this adds more molasses with a touch of Brandy in the background. The concentrated flavors linger more or less endlessly, driven into the palate by the wine's power and acidity. You can smell and taste this for a long time. The graceful mid-palate is deceptively friendly at first. It sure does grip the palate at the end, though, finishing with juicy bursts of fruit and sugar. Over several days, it acquired a bit more harmony and shed a touch of aggression. The alcohol, speaking relatively, is not as well integrated here as with the 1965, also reviewed, but that is relative. I tended to like this just slightly better anyway for its complexity and concentration on several fronts. The freshness on the 1965 is quite enticing, though. It tastes younger. It depends on what you want: that old-wine complexity and depth or a livelier feel. They both have plenty of power on the finish. You can't go wrong, really.

95 Points - Decanter
Towering with glorious flavour: culinary herbs, molasses and rancio in conjunction with every imaginable form of citrus, each one demanding attention, rippling towards the magnificent finish. (Gold) - DWWA 2025

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Bottled in 2015, this wine from a great Port vintage is dark in color and so concentrated. It is powered by intense acidity from the wood aging as much as any residual fruit. Spice, dried fruits and a perfect balance give this great wine elegance and surprising freshness. Drink now.

94 Points - Wine Spectator
A light amber color, with zesty, fresh flavors of dried citrus, ginger and glazed apricot which lengthen out midpalate. White pepper and plenty of spice details show on the finish. Drink now. 200 cases imported.

Product size: 750ml