Sogevinus declares 2015 vintage

Portuguese wine group Sogevinus has announced it is declaring 2015 a vintage year for its Kopke and Cálem brands.

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Noting that 2015 had proved to be an “unusual” year, the group will be releasing a 2015 Quinta de S. Luiz from Kopke and a 2015 vintage from Cálem.

The former is made from 50% Touriga Naçional and 50% from mixed variety vineyards that are over 50 years old and is described as having an, “intense colour, exuberant and complex nose with aromas of ripe black wild berries wrapped in subtle notes of balsamic and hints of black pepper.”

The Cálem meanwhile was noted as having aromas of “black fruit and hints of spice and cocoa” with a “robust and sweet” palate. It is a blend of 30% Touriga Naçional, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Roriz and 10% Sousão.

Both were said to have “good” to “extraordinary” ageing potential.

Winemaker and oenologist, Carlos Alves, said: “2015 was an unusual year. Exceptional wines from the Douro Superior but some imbalance in Cima Corgo and Baixo Corgo. 2015 wines have a vibrant acidity and demanded an extensive and detailed work at the winery.”

Despite being “unusual” the general quality of the wines from the Douro in 2015 means that the lack of more declared vintages from that year is sometimes seen as somewhat surprising by outside commentators.

The Fladgate Partnership has declared single quinta 2015s from Quinta de Vargellas and de Roêda and one vintage Port from Fonseca, while the Symington’s have made a vintage at Cockburn’s but otherwise made wines such as The Stone Terraces from Graham’s.

There has not been a region-wide vintage declaration since 2011 which is the longest gap between vintages in half a century.