Spring tasting in Portland

Had a few bottles with Lamont, Harrington, and Elaine

Kopke 20 year tawny
Reddish brown in color. Open nose of caramel, dough, and orange peel, and dried fruits. Well concentrated on the palate, full dried fruits, caramel, and mild nuttiness. Long finish defines the wine. Excellent 20 year tawny - 94 points

Krohn 1964 white colheita
Translucent orange in color. Dried papaya and toffee on the nose with hints of buttered pecan. Very sweet after a shot chill, not hot at all, candied fruit, vanilla, and baking spices on the palate. Finish is long and satisfying.

Graham's 1963 Vintage
Light purple/red and crisp in color with bright rim. Ripe strawberry and raspberry jam on the nose, sweet and open with some spirit. Full open lush red fruit on the palate with soft tannins. A touch of leather and brandied cherries complete the flavor profile; finish is long and fruity. Excellent wine, drinking very well now.

Kopke Colheita Flight

Elaine and I had a nice flight of Kopke Colheitas on New Years Eve at Wine Down in Portland, OR (http://www.winedownpdx.com/joomla/). We tasted 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997. I did not have large portions of each and did not have paper, so each wine was not noted in detail, but I did note the progression of taste among years.

1997 was the lightest in color, a light burnt orange and had the most acidity making the wine slightly dry. The taste was with vibrant with dried fruits, and a bit a vanilla. Finish was moderately long.
1987 had a bit more depth in color then 1997. Slightly less tannic, the concentration was deeper but still crisp with a more nutty flavor. Finish was moderately long. Similar to a good 20 year tawny.
1977 was similar in color to 1987 but was more concentrated. The acidity was reduced compared to the 1997 and the finish was longer.
1967 was noticeably different from the three previous wines. The color was reddish orange and showed more depth. The nose was more concentrated and smelled of dried apricots, dates, and raisins. The plate was markedly different with deep concentrated apricots, dates, raisins, wood, peel, and a touch of vanilla. The finish was very long and fruity.
1957 was overall similar to 1967. However, the palate was a bit deeper and the fruit flavor was outstanding with notes of toffee. The flavor was complex and the fruit finish was long and memorable. The best tawny I have ever tasted - and my oldest for that matter.

Graham's 1985 Vintage

Tasted Christmas night. It seems we had Graham's 1985 on Christmas 2006 and I have posted my 2006 review for comparison. In summary, this wine is drinking well now and I plan to put a few in the cellar for years to come.

A clear red-violet in color. Nose was alive with ripe red fruits and that jammy sense of an aged wine. Mature on the palate; tannis have softened and the concentrated fruit quality really stands out. The finish is long and fruity, almost earth as this wine is beginning to show some tawny characteristics. Actually reminded me of a Taylor 10 year tawny. Based on my previous review, there has been some improvement as the wine is outstanding, even to those who do not drink port often. Livingston 12/25/09


My review from Christmas 2006 -
A crisp reddish purple in color. A full and open nose of red fruits, accented by strawberry jam and a bit of must. The wine shows its maturity on the palate with soft tannins and refined structure. The palate is deep, and the red fruits are well concentrated and fully fleshed out. A supurb finish compliments the maturity of this wine. Excellent now, but may stand 5 to 10 years to reach its peak. Livingston, 12/25/06

1997 Dow's Vintage

Tasted over Thanksgiving. Not always the easiest environment to review a wine, but here is my general impression.

Dark purple – showing little age. Inviting nose of blackberry, black cherry and tar. On the palate it is deep and complex, with notes of dark berries, black cherries, and a slight hint of raspberry. Tannins are solid and the finish is long. This has the backbone to last decades and should be an outstanding wine for years to come. Livingston 11/09