Kopke launches its first 80-year-old Tawny Port

Time as witness: A tribute to history

From the historic cellars of Port winery Kopke comes the very first 80-year-old Tawny Port. An exceptional blend that not only belongs to a new category created by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP), but is also the result of Port wines of high quality, which have been continually refined over the years.

From Kopke's centuries-old cellars rises a new benchmark, born of almost four centuries of wine production. It all began in 1638 - a time when the Douro had no borders or rules. This rare Tawny embodies eighty years of the Port winery's nearly 390-year-old heritage. The Kopke 80 Years Old is a special blend of carefully preserved Ports of varying ages. After decades of ageing in century-old wood, a wine has emerged with a silky smoothness and lively freshness - a Port that not only stands the test of time, but also honours it.

After tasting some of the oldest wines in Kopke's rich portfolio, the oenology team created an exceptional blend, composed of wines whose oldest dates back to the late 19th century and the youngest to the 1940s. This launch reaffirms Kopke's status as both producer and guardian of wines that act as living witnesses to the past, ex libris of the present and references for the future.

Besides barrel-aging in the cellar, centuries-old craft traditions have contributed to this Tawny Port reaching this exceptional stage. The lengthy ageing process reveals a deep amber colour with subtle, greenish hues. The first aromas open with nuances of slightly resinous, exotic wood, which transition into a botanical bouquet reminiscent of pennyroyal and other shade-loving herbs. On the palate, a striking freshness presents itself, with flavours of tangerine peel, dried apricot and liquorice, harmoniously intertwined with spicy accents and notes of dried fruit. A delicate bitterness persists in the finish, reinforcing the impression of coffee and clove.

The wines that form the basis of this 80 Years Old blend were harvested entirely by traditional methods and reflect the era in which they were created. The grapes were hand-picked from the vines on the Douro terraces and vinified in stone presses, under foot power. They were then taken to Vila Nova de Gaia, where they matured slowly and carefully on wood for decades, in a noble, timeless container.

The new Kopke Tawny 80 Years, a striking addition to the brand's portfolio, invites a taste of history in a wine that shines with its priceless heritage.

The Kopke 80 Years Old is available from specialist wine shops for €950.

More information: kopkegroup.com