Unlike vintage port, the year of harvest in the tawny category is of less importance for the wine’s quality. Tawny port is a wine style primarily shaped in the cellar, where time and the cellar master play a crucial role in the wine’s development.
The barrel-aged “vintage tawny” known as colheita is often an overlooked category, and few port houses master it as skillfully as Kopke – the oldest existing port house. Colheita port is aged for a minimum of 7 years (often much longer) in wooden casks before being bottled – only after approval from the Port Wine Institute – and is then ready to drink. The long barrel aging removes all tannins and primary fruit, leaving behind a luxurious, refined, liquid version of a brunsviger cake.
After two decades of oxidative aging in Kopke’s cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, this vintage tawny presents itself with silky, mature richness. The nose is spicy, with powdered sugar, raisin, prune, candied orange, and warm Christmas spices. Kopke Colheita 1998 unfolds on the palate with generous flavor, ripe fruit, and a wonderful balance of acidity, fruit, and sweetness.
The finish is incredibly long – so sit back and enjoy.
This colheita pairs beautifully with hard cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, or desserts featuring the same. It also makes for an ideal “meditation wine” when contemplating life.
Once opened, the wine will keep for about 2–4 weeks – preferably stored in the fridge. After that, it will gradually lose its intensity, but don’t worry if a few glasses are left – just enjoy them at your own pace.
