The oldest Port Wine House honours its founder, Cristiano Nicolau Kopke, with rare and exclusive wine from the beginning of the 20th century
Limited to 380 numbered bottles, Kopke CNK is an homage to the House’s founder, Cristiano Nicolau Kopke, symbolising endeavour, care, dedication, passion, foresight and expertise of the generations of people who have striven to preserve a living legacy, which we share with the world today. It also reminds us of the everyday duty we have to safeguard this legacy for future generations.
Most of the wines that make up this blend have been maturing in casks of 650 litres. The only exception is the oldest – Colheita 1900 – which has aged in a large oak vat of 2500 litres. Kopke CNK Very Old Tawny Port has a mahogany colour streaked by greenish hues. The nose reveals notes of spice, fig, almond, walnut, coffee, chocolate and a hint of snuff… And then, on the palate, flavours of jelly, cinnamon, resin, curry and balsamic. The balance between sweetness and acidity is perfect, its finish is powerful but fresh, and lengthy.
“I am lucky to be able to work with unique wines, some of them extremely old. This is truly special. I am very proud of this blend and I thank all the Kopke winemakers and blenders before me for preserving these remarkable wines, which are a living legacy. My daily mission is exactly the same: to look after the wines that will make the next generation’s future”, points out Carlos Alves, Sogevinus Fine Wines’ Port winemaker.
To reinforce the exclusivity of this wine, Kopke has developed a special bottle in Marinha Grande, the heart of the glass industry in Portugal, that shows the beautiful colour of the wine. The packaging has been developed by OM Design and includes a Portuguese walnut wooden box and leather trims. The recommended retail price is €1,500.
The wine was officially presented on 21st June, during a party to celebrate Kopke’s 380th anniversary that took place in Vila Nova de Gaia, gathering more than eighty guests – amongst them importers, distributors, Portuguese and International press, government officials and wine institutions.
Producer of DOC Douro and Port Wines, Kopke is one of the companies that are part of the Sogevinus Fines Wines group, along with the Burmester, Cálem and Barros brands. Sogevinus is present in 60 countries, exports 60% of production and produces an annual average of more than 8 million bottles (7.05 million Oporto and 1.2 million DOC Douro). It also has a total of 360 hectares of vineyards in the Douro Demarcated Region.
