TN: 40 Year Old Tawny Port by Kopke

WINE TALK
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40 Year Old Tawny Port by Kopke

Bottled in 2007
Well after a nice bottle of 2007 Kopke Branco Douro, I figured a Kopke 40 year old tawny would be a nice way to finish off the evening. A complex nose of orange rinds, mahogony, vanilla, and licorice bring forth the first indication of what is to come. Some 40 Year Old Tawny’s can come off being a bit tired on the palate, lacking a bit of freshness. This one is surely not one of them. Along with maple, vanilla, and chestnut, whisps of cinnamon come alive and fill the back of the mouth just as the finish starts to takes over, and what a finish it is. While the complexity is still vibrantly taking over the palate the finish starts to kick in, in full over drive. It envelopes the whole throat and the maple and cinnamon take center stage, lasting what seems like minutes. I tend to prefer 30 Year Old Tawny’s over 40 Year Old’s, but this is an exception for sure. The combination of freshness, complexity, and finish this retains is quite amazing. 96 points
06/15/09

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Thanks for he note Andy. Sounds like you would put this a definite step up from the 20 or 30 year? My few experiences with 40 years haven’t made me feel they are worth the extra coin.

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I’ve always been impressed with the Kopke lineup - especially in terms of freshness across the board (inc. some pretty old Colheitas). They never taste as “old” as I’d expect. Haven’t had the 40 though… how does it compare to the 20?

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The 40 year old Kopke is considerably better than the 20 year old which is no slouch either. I had the 40 year old last week and it was very very good indeed.