Classic Vintage 2017
Trade Tools
Portugal / Douro Valley Porto
The firm was founded in 1865 by two young Norwegians, Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn. Over the following century and a half the firm built up an outstanding reputation for its old cask-aged Ports, in particular its ‘colheitas’ or single harvest tawnies. Krohn is also noted for its finely-constituted Vintage Ports sourced from top properties in the Cima Corgo area, including Krohn’s own estate of Quinta do Retiro Novo in the Rio Torto valley. In this area the nature of the soil where the vines are growing, the altitude, the locality, the (low) productivity and the slope of the vineyards are particularly favourable to the production of quality Ports.
93 Points
Wine & Spirits
2017 vintage
95 Points
Wine Spectator Insider
2017 vintage
Harvest Note
The vineyard cycle got off to an early start, with the first buds emerging between March 8th and 10th, in spite of the cold, dry weather. The very dry Spring stood out as a defining feature of the 2017 viticultural year. Only a few millimetres of rain fell in April, with May and June continuing dry. Temperatures were above average for the period. The early development of the vines continued, with flowering starting right at the beginning of May and a very early véraison making its appearance around June 18th. The drought conditions continued throughout the Summer and until the end of September. July was hot but, fortunately, the temperatures in August fell to more moderate levels, particularly at night, encouraging balanced ripening of the crop. Picking at Quinta do Retiro Novo, in the Rio Torto valley, began much earlier than usual on September 4th. Yields were low and the musts were exceptionally concentrated and deeply colored.
Tasting Note
Deep purple-black center with a vivid purple rim. The quality of the fruit is immediately apparent on the nose with ripe, dark berry aromas, but there are also crisp red berries, fresh plum and apricot to provide lift and vigor. The nose is very aromatic with notes of rock rose blending with savory marjoram and thyme and floral scents of rose and violet. The palate is svelte and racy, with tightly wound, linear tannins and fresh berry fruit flavors carrying through into the long finish. A beautifully expressive Vintage Port, fine and fragrant, but with the depth and intensity characteristic of the 2017 vintage.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
APPELLATION: Douro Valley
PH: 3.9
ACIDITY: 4.36 g/l
ABV: 20%
AGING: Aged for 2 years in large, conditioned French oak vats before bottling. Will continue to age in bottle for decades.
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 102 g/l
Unique Selling Points
- Pairs perfectly with chocolate and chocolate based desserts
- Made with 100% foot-trodden grapes from our own properties
- This wine will develop for decades in the bottle
- Noted for finely-constituted Vintage Ports
“My team and I strive to bring the very best performance out of our vineyards by careful nurturing of the vines, combined with the very best winemaking techniques available.”
David Guimaraens, Winemaker
About the Grape
Tinta Barroca
Used to make Port wines, this high yielding grape has very high sugar content, which makes wines with pronounced floral character, good structure and firm, ripe tannins.
Tinta Cão
This grape has blackberry, game and meaty aromas, and contributes longevity and exceptional elegance to the blend of Port wines.
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Roriz produces deep-colored grapes of moderate acidity which make bold wines with firm tannins, excellent complexity and distinctive resin-like fragrance.
Touriga Franca
This grape has high tannins and is very aromatic; it lends structure and balance to Port wines. It shows intense fresh red fruit, earth and flower aromas, and is very fruity on the palate.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional produces wine with finesse, body and warmth that is dark, concentrated, massively tannic and aromatic. It ages to show the complex aromas typically found in mature vintage port.
