Kopke 5-29-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Kopke
&
Vinopolis Featurette: Domaine Grand Veneur
 

 
Kopke & Legendary Colheita Ports
 
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
 

Some of the world’s oldest wineries are still quietly making some of the most profound wines for their region. These estates have been loved and sought-after for generations. Think of Saint Cosme in Gigondas, Schloss Gobelsburg in the Kamptal region of Austria, Karthäuserhof in the Mosel, Ricasoli and Antinori in Tuscany, and Kopke in the Douro.
 
Kopke, founded in 1638, makes what might be the most vibrant and long-lived port wines available. They have been through adverse times in their nearly 400-year history, seeing dramatic shifts in the climate, swings in the popularity of their product, and the rise and fall of populist dictators. Through all of this, they’ve been consistent in their commitment to making the greatest Tawny and Colheita (vintage Tawny) Port available.
 
We’re fortunate to have a tremendous lineup available with additional stock that just landed, including Colheita vintages dating back to 1957, and a 30-year and 40-year Tawny. The unbelievably youthful vintage Colheitas are perfect examples of how age adds concentration and depth, with the traditional Kopke freshness that keeps these so vibrant. All of our selections will continue to show their highlights and develop rich spice and dried fruit characteristics for years to come.
 
Although the main focus of Kopke has always been its Colheita and Tawnies, they also craft exceptional Vintage Port. In 1922, the Port House acquired the Quinta de São Luiz, recognized as one of the most important estates in the Douro due to the quality of its vineyards and its history. You can experience two Vintage Ports from this estate, the 2015 and 2019.
 

5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Kopke
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Kopke
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Saturday, June 1st at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer eleven options from Kopke on sale now, including:
 
Kopke 30 Year Old Tawny Port 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 30 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2017 with a bar-top cork and 130 grams per liter of residual sugar. The last release I saw of this was pretty fine. So, too, here. This adds a layer of depth and more complexity to the Burmester, although it lacks the Burmester’s elegance and sex appeal. While the finish here is bigger and more gripping, it is no more flavorful (actually, less so). Still, as this rolls around the mouth, it is impressive, not necessarily more exciting than the Burmester, but definitely different stylistically. They are good examples of the diversity you can get in one portfolio. As always, these last indefinitely, barring cork failures, but they are not really meant to be held.”
 
Kopke 40 Year Old Tawny Port 750ml Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This offers a dreamy mix of caramelized pear, fig and peach flavors at the core, while caramel, sesame oil and date notes fill in through the expansive finish. At first glance this is quite lush, but the finish lingers with cut and drive. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2016 with a bar top cork and 145 grams per liter of residual sugar. This adds a bit more brandy as a nuance on the finish to the 30, reviewed this issue, but it still seems much like the 30 Year Old, surprisingly fresh and easy, beautifully balanced and on the lighter side in terms of mid-palate concentration. It is a lovely tawny on its own terms–I’m just not sure it delivers enough of an uptick to justify the price spike from the 30 (or, perhaps even the 20). On its own, though, it won’t disappoint. The price references a 750 milliliter bottle.”
 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1957 750ml Displayed Price: $489, that’s $464.55 at 5% off and $440.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Harriet Kininmonth-IWSC 98 points “Still showing elegance and incredible complexity when considering the age. Soft and mellow, loaded with ripe soft stone fruit. Harmonious yet still has austere delights to savour. Still has development to come.”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1957 Colheita Tawny Port was seen before, but it’s worth revisiting in the USA, since it’s a great wine. This is also the new 2015 bottling. It has 127 grams per liter of residual sugar. It is stunning how youthful this is. Lush and rich on opening, it has mature flavors that emerge, easily demonstrating the complexity and concentrated aromatics one expects. Gripping on the finish, this delivers fruit flavor and seems to linger indefinitely. When I first saw this, it was tasted next to even more brilliant Colheitas and a bit overshadowed. On its own, it is even more stunning. It was pretty fine next to some other greats here as well.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “There is a great balance between acidity and impressively fresh fruit considering the age of this venerable Port. Of course there are many flavors from the wood aging, but they are combined with orange marmalade, fig and raisin flavors in a riot of complex flavors that have created a very great wine. It comes from a year that was not generally declared as a vintage. -Roger Voss”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Baked pear, dried apricot and roasted apple flavors dominate in this mature yet fresh-tasting version. White pepper and lightly smoky notes show on the fresh finish. Rich and complex. Drink now. 200 cases imported. — KM”
 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1966 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 96 points “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.”
 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1967 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1967 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 142 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is a nice step up compared to the younger parts of the lineup, elegant and focused, with a precise finish, a fresh feel, little discernible brandy and a long, long finish. The classic old tawny flavors of molasses and caramel wash over the palate. This isn’t big and thick, but some may very well prefer its elegant and brighter feel. In many ways, it is fresher than the 1981 or 1999 reviewed this issue, and it is better balanced than the 1937. It is very pretty.”
 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1974 750ml Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Redolent of toffee, this light, spicy style offers succulent flavors of dried fig, pear tart and baked apple. Cinnamon and white chocolate notes chime in on the fresh, juicy finish, accompanied by hints of sage. Drink now. 50 cases imported.”
 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1975 750ml Displayed Price: $145, that’s $137.75 at 5% off and $130.50 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Decanter World Wine Awards 96 points “A legion of complexity encapsulating glorious rich fruitcake, seaweed and bonfire smoke; sweet and luscious with an engaging finish that goes on forever. Super!”
 
Kopke Colheita Tawny Port 1999 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Jamie Goode-Wine Anorak 94 points “Complex, spicy and raising with an appealing saline edge. Some lovely savoury notes developing here. Has warmth and complexity.”
 
Kopke Vintage Port Quinta de São Luiz 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A flattering style, with a generous feel to the mix of raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors that glide through. Light fruitcake and red licorice accents infuse the finish, which has a nice kick of freshness. Best from 2028 through 2045. 200 cases imported. — JM”
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 Vintage Port Quinta S. Luiz is a single-quinta Porto that is a 50/50 blend of Touriga Nacional and a field blend from old vines (over 50 years old). It comes in at 102 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is elegant and shows excellent finesse. There’s not a lot of concentration, perhaps, but this delicious Kopke does have fine structure. It finishes with tension and increasingly assertive tannins as it airs out. Nicely done overall, this shows the potential to age well and improve in the cellar. This single-quinta Porto is more or less as good as its declared vintage sibling (the Cálem, this issue, also from Sogevinus). This is a bit pricier, though, and the styles are rather different, that Cálem feeling fuller in the mouth, while this feels harder edged. This was a tank sample, out of barrel and the final blend, when tasted.”
 
Kopke Vintage Port Quinta de São Luiz 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has some flash, with bright cassis, plum and boysenberry purée flavors that have a nice, caressing feel. Loads of anise, red tea, fruitcake and melted licorice notes entwine themselves to the fruit, leading to a seductive finish. Best from 2040 through 2060. 350 cases made, 10 cases imported. — JM”
 
Kopke Vintage Port 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “This is a luscious wine, with tannins that are cushioned by the ripe plum and prune fruits. That doesn’t mean it is likely to develop too quickly, but is ready to take its time, bringing out the opulent character of the wine as well as its structure. Drink from 2028.”

 
Shop our eleven Kopke selections on sale now on our webstore!



Vinopolis Featurette:
 
Domaine Grand Veneur

 
Alain Jaume’s Domaine Grand Veneur is a trailblazer in Chateauneuf-du-Pape that continues to make some of the finest wines in the appellation. The family-owned estate crafts some of the most dramatic and opulent bottlings in the Southern Rhone, and their prices make them a steal compared to their nearest competitors. The 2017 Les Origines hails from the very north of the appellation in a vineyard strewn with rocks and soils rich in red clay. The wine is deeply complex and powerful with a long drinking window.  
 
In Stock Now:
 
Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines 2017 750ml $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines 2017 750ml $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
Case-12 Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines 2017 750ml $636 special (that’s only $53/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Origines takes things up a notch on the serious scale and has a much more concentrated, focused, structured style. A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah that saw 50% new barrels, it offers a rich, concentrated, focused texture, notes of black raspberries, roasted garrigue, pepper, and tons of minerality, building tannins, and outstanding length. The new oak is beautifully integrated, it’s perfectly balanced, and it’s one of those wines that has a kiss of modern character yet stays firmly planted in the Southern Rhône.”
Anna Lee C. Iijima-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. In contrast to the sun-drenched red fruit of this producer’s other special cuvée, the Vieilles Vignes, Les Origines is the darker, more sultry sibling. Flavors of crème de cassis and spiced black plums are densely concentrated, almost languorous in mouthfeel, but edged by lifting tones of crushed earth and smoky minerals. It’s still a bit closed in character but should open from 2022 and improve further well through 2030.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $69.98
 
We offer 149 red Rhone selections in stock now.
Shop the complete selection on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
 
Nikolaihof
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Nikolaihof
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Nikolaihof
 
Produttori del Barbaresco
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of Produttori del Barbaresco
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Produttori del Barbaresco
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Nikolaihof sale ends Thursday, May 30th at 9 am Pacific. Produttori del Barbaresco sale ends Friday, May 31st at 9 am Pacific.