Sogevinus declares
2019 a Vintage Year
In 2019, “the diversity in soil types, grape varieties, sunlight exposure and altitudes enabled a gradual maturation of the grapes, an important factor for achieving high quality grapes”, explains Márcio Nóbrega, Head of Viticulture at Sogevinus Fine Wines. “The long period of ripening in 2019, the attention to detail in each plot and close monitoring of the grapes’ maturation, were all key factors for achieving very aromatic wines with freshness, assertive tannins and a great depth of colour, thus producing Ports with great ageing potential. The Vintages from these four historic houses will be available to the consumer in the last quarter of 2021.
“The 2019 Vintage has produced wines that are extremely clean on the nose, concentrated in colour and fresh on the palate.”
Carlos Alves, Master Blender & Port wine Winemaker at Sogevinus Fine Wines
Quinta de São Luiz, the historical vineyard of the house of Kopke, is located on the left bank of the Douro River in the Cima Corgo sub-region. In 2019 the Port wine harvest began on September 9th with dry weather and moderate temperatures, that allowed for gradual maturation.
The thermal variations recorded in August and September were very favourable for the ripening of the grapes. The absence of rain accompanied by high temperatures, normal in the Douro region, along with cool nights, contrasted with the excesses seen in the summers of recent years.
Therefore, for this Vintage, grapes were selected from the lower and middle parcels of the hill, with north / north-west exposure, and only from vines planted between 110 and 135m altitude. The blend includes Touriga Nacional, giving it freshness and notes of fruit, blended with a field blend of very old vines (over 80 years old), which give the wine assertiveness and concentration.
With a dark black hue with hints of violet, this Vintage immediately seduces with its aromatic richness, floral aromas, hints of menthol, black fruit notes including blueberry and hints of smoke. On the palate it reveals assertive acidity combined with intense tannins, marking the style of the Vintage Single Quinta da Casa Kopke. The fresh fruit is delicate, and the finish is long, suggesting great potential for aging.
At Quinta do Arnozelo, located in the Douro Superior sub-region, the harvest of Port wine grapes started on 16th September with the harvesting of the Touriga Nacional first, those exposed to the northeast at 280m altitude, then on to Touriga Franca, at 200m altitude and facing east, and finally, Tinta Roriz facing northwest with an altitude of around 250m.
The elegance and aromatic richness of the Touriga Nacional, combined with the concentration and structure of Touriga Franca and the more intense tannins of Tinta Roriz, are the elements of these three varieties that make up the blend of this fascinating Vintage from Quinta do Arnozelo. “A very elegant, floral and fresh wine”, highlights Carlos Alves.
With an intense red hue with violet tints, this wine takes on the Burmester profile in a more elegant and fragrant profile where, in addition to the notes of tropical fruit, floral notes, orange blossom nuances, cassis, rosemary, fruits of the forest and plums stand out. A wine of great finesse, with a tense and muscular tannin with light notes of liquorice and fresh fruit. With a long and elegant finish, in the style of Casa Burmester, this wine is the purest expression of the excellence of the Quinta do Arnozelo terroir.
The result is of a blend from different plots of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Sousão. This Vintage by Cálem maintains the identity of the Port house: wines with a more robust profile, with firm structure and ripe fruit.
This Vintage presents an intense purple colour, the aromas are marked by blackberries that are complemented by notes of forest fruits, dark chocolate, pepper and slightly more resinous notes. Concentrated and intense, this is an irreverent and generous wine, with very firm tannins, suggesting great aging potential. A Vintage that is “robust, full-bodied and vibrant”, notes Carlos Alves.
The heart of the Douro, between the subregions of Low and Cima Corgo, is the cradle of this Barros Classic Vintage, “a wine with a balsamic, floral and balanced character”, highlights Carlos Alves. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz are the three main grape varieties for this blend, with a small percentage of Sousão.
With a dark red hue, this Vintage presents a fragrant and clean nose where floral aromas combine with citrus notes, notes of black fruit, chocolate, and some spice. On the palate, it is young and fresh, with the fruit enhancing the excellent balance between tannin and acidity. This is an assertive Vintage with a long, intense, and tantalising finish.
