1997 Kopke Colheita Port

[TheEngineer]

I've never had a Colheita port before so any information would be great.

Took some time to open up. Initially a bit harsh on openning, but with air, started to integrate.

Taste like an intense tawny, raisiny, pruney, nutty, hint of chocolate, and what appeared to be a tartness, sourness at the end and it was warm going down.

Did I commit infanticide?

[Kcwhippet]

Had a 1976 Barros Colheita in 375 a few weeks ago. Luscious!!

[bridgema]

Hi Engineer,

I'm new to this forum - only discovered it today while googling for forums to discuss Port - so forgive me if I don't get the etiquette quite right.

Let me know what you want to know about colheita ports and I'll see if I can answer. One thing I can tell you is that you did not commit infanticide - colheita ports are intended by the wine makers to be drunk soon after bottling. While they will mature in the bottle, the winemaker generally tries to capture the freshness of the wine as it comes out of the barrel after having been matured that way for a minimum of 6 years. One critical thing to look out for when buying a bottle of colheita port is the bottling date. The more recent, the better.

Your description of it tasting like an intense tawny is a good one - that is exactly what it should be like, a step up in quality from a tawny blend.

[TheEngineer]

Bridgema,

Thank you very much for that post and I really appreciate the guidance on that. I was my for Colheita, but it definitely will not be my last. I polished that bottle off with very little assistance [img]http://wines.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img].

Please do come back and post. I really would appreciate hearing more from your experiences!

Many thanks again.