KOPKE DOURO WINES FROM SOGEVINUS

One of the Iberian Peninsula’s outstanding, young winemaker’s, Francisco Gonçalves is the winemaker-enologist for Sogevinus’ Kopke brand wines.  The key to making world-class wines in the Porto e Douro Wine Region, while still maintaining local characteristics, is having a winemaker specializing in still wines – distinctly separate from the port wine enologists.  He has overall supervision of both Quinta São Luiz in the Douro Encima and Quinta Arnozelo in the Douro Superior where the grapes for the Kopke wines are grown on the higher 750 to 1500-foot terraces producing grapes with good balance of acidity for still wines.

Kopke 2008 Kopke Vinho Branco, Douro DOC White Wine – Arinto and Gouveio white grapes are hand selected from the higher elevations at Quinta de Arnozelo in the Superior Douro, producing the seductive aroma of tropical fruit and citrus followed by lemon-honeydew melon flavors with a persistent finish. – “Fresh, lemony citrus and white peach aromas segue to tongue tingling acidity and verve on the palate. The 2007 Kopke gained body and weight as it reached the perfect serving temperature and featured exotic mango, crab apple, and tart seckel pear flavors. During a recent trip to Portugal, this was one of the whites that really caught my attention. This bottle enjoyed stateside, even more so. A splendid bargain of a wine!” 2007 vintage 91+ points – Roy Hersh, fortheloveofport.com

Kopke 2006 Vinho Tinto, Douro DOC Red Wine – To produce this fine red wine, we carefully hand selected the same traditional grape varietals at Quinta de Arnozelo in the Superior Douro that are used to make the world-famous Porto Kopke, which is the first and oldest Port House. The blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) produces an attractive, structured, balanced red wine. This results in a very complex lush flavors showing ripe fruit enhanced by a touch of cocoa. It is mouth-filling with soft tannins and a memorable finish.

Kopke 2006 Vinho Tinto Reserva, Douro DOC Red Wine – This fine red wine is made from traditional grape varietals at Quinta de Arnozelo. The blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) results in a balanced red wine showing floral aroma and deliciously rounded ripe fruit with undertones of fresh blackberries.  The richness is deep but subtle, creating a complexity that is powerful but food friendly. It is aged 12 months in new French Oak barrels. The previous 2005 Reserva was rated 90 Points in the Wine Enthusiast.