Following the recent 2018 vintage declarations from Sogrape, Taylor’s, and Quinta do Noval, Sogevinus has announced the release of four 2018 vintage Ports
The wines are two single estates from Kopke’s Quinta de São Luiz, situated in Cima-Corgo, and Burmester’s Arnozelo, in the Douro Superior; and two classic vintage Ports from Cálem and Barros.
‘2018 was a particularly challenging year, with adverse weather conditions resulting in a lower yield, albeit of excellent quality,’ commented Sogevinus’ winemaker Carlos Alves. ‘With a lower quantity of grapes coming into the winery, we were able to closely monitor the fermentation of the first musts. These exceptional wines, perfectly representing the profile of each of their Port houses, are the result of the excellence of that raw material.
‘In general,’ he continued, ‘the 2018 vintage Ports stand out for their freshness, elegance and excellent balance between sweetness and acidity.’
The blend of Kopke’s Quinta de S. Luiz 2018 Vintage Port is equally split between Touriga Nacional, which ‘gives it freshness and notes of fruit’, and a variety of old vines (80yo or more), ‘which give the wine assertiveness and concentration’.
Burmester’s Quinta do Arnozelo 2018 Vintage Port is instead a blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, again in equal parts.
Meanwhile, Cálem 2018 Vintage Port is an assemblage of different plots of Touriga Nacional (15%), Touriga Franca (45%), Tinta Roriz (30%), and Sousão (10%). The same varieties make up the blend of Barros 2018 Vintage Port, albeit in different proportions: Touriga Nacional (35%), Touriga Franca (30%), Tinta Roriz (30%), and Sousão (5%).
