Boplaas, Cape Vintage ‘Port’ 2022
It would be impossible to think of South African ‘Port’-style wines and Brandies without Boplaas (‘top farm’ in Afrikaans) springing to mind. Boplaas, in far flung Calitzdorp, has been in the Nel family since 1880 so they have had many a year to perfect their craft. This is evidenced through frequently being awarded ‘Port’ of the year by both Tim Atkin MW and numerous Platter 5 star awards.
Boplaas ‘Port’ wines are crafted just like they are in the Douro Valley. Only Portuguese varietals are utilised, picked at full-ripeness and fermented in large open fermenters (known as lagares), intense manual pigeage, fortifying the wine at the correct time, using the finest grape spirit, and appropriate barrel ageing.
Very dark and purple in colour, expect a wide array of dark fruit aromas, ranging from blackberries to stewed cherry, as well as violets, pepper and dark chocolate. The palate mirrors the nose; full-bodied, big ripe tannins and integrated alcohol. A seemingly endless finish. Beguiling.
£22.90
Calitzdorp
'Port'
Description
Boplaas Cape Port wines are crafted much the same way as the lauded Ports of the Douro Valley utilising full-ripe Portuguese varietals fermented in traditional open fermenters, known as lagares, with intense manual pigeage; fortifying at the correct moment with the finest grape spirit and maturing in barrel for the appropriate length of time according to the style, prior to meticulous blending and bottling lightly filtered to ensure the very best wine for your enjoyment.
Boplaas wine farms harvested the grapes at 26 B with a yield of 5 ton/ha. Young Touriga Nacional Vines and Old Tinta Barocca Vines planted in ’68.
Tasting notes:
This is a dark port, purplish black port with flavours of cherries, plum, blackberries, violets, pepper, spiciness and dark chocolate. Expectations are meet when you taste the wine – full-bodied with big ripe tannins and integrated alcohol, with a long and luscious after-taste.
Maturation potential: Drink now through next 30 years
Serving Suggestions:
Many people have discovered that Vintage Port is a very enjoyable and memorable way to finish a meal and indeed it is now frequently served as a very satisfying dessert in its own right. Enjoyed for its luscious fruit flavours with complex notes of chocolate and spice, Vintage Port is commonly paired with Stilton cheese, although it is outstanding with most types of cheese. Chocolate is sensational with Vintage Port, as are dried fruits and nuts. More adventurous combinations involve ice-cream, crème brule, and fresh fruit.
Analysis:
Wine of Origin: Calitzdorp
Cultivars: Touriga Nacional; Tinta Barocca & Souzao
Total Acid: 5,3 g/l
pH: 3,74
Alcohol: 18%
Wood aging: 12 months in Portuguese “Pipes” Barrels
Additional information
| Grape | 'Port' |
|---|---|
| Alcohol vol | 18% |
| Origin | Calitzdorp |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Wine Farm |
Commonly paired with Stilton cheese, although it is outstanding with most types of cheese. Chocolate is sensational with Vintage Port, as are dried fruits and nuts. More adventurous combinations involve ice-cream, crème brule, and fresh fruit. Also delicious on its own to end a meal.
You may also like
-
Boplaas, Cape Tawny ‘Port’ NV
£30.10
Calitzdorp
'Port'
LightFull Bodied
Find out moreAdd to basketA delicious, food-friendly, ‘Port’ from South Africa’s pre-eminent ‘Port’ producer.
-
Boplaas, Carel Nel 5yr Old Brandy
£46.45
Calitzdorp
Brandy
LightFull Bodied
Find out moreAdd to basketA bright fruited, floral, Brandy from the only Cape Winemaker’s Guild member to enter a Brandy.
