Tasting Notes
2009 was declared by Krohn as a classic vintage - although yields were low, quality was good. The result is a Port with stewed prune and cherry fruit and excellent length.
A wonderfully herbaceous nose with a dense palate of sour cherries and stewed prunes and a ripe harmonious finish.
Producer details
Wiese & Krohn was founded in 1865 by two Norwegians - Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn - shipping initially to Scandinavia and Germany. In the century and a half since its foundation, Krohn has built up an outstanding reputation. Long renowned for the quality of their sublime Colheitas (single vintage tawnies), they produce a remarkably complete range for a small house, and each wine excels in its category. Much of the secret lies in the high quality of their vineyards - the magical combination of terroir, locality, aspect, incline and low-yielding vines. Their Quinta do Retiro Novo estate in Sarzedinho, in the Rio Torto valley (where vinification takes place), is all A grade vineyard. Indeed Krohn only work with grapes from A-graded vineyards across all of their ports, and their top wines are still trodden by foot. Since 2013 Krohn has been part of the Fladgate Partnership - alongside Taylor's, Fonseca and Croft.
In the vineyard
2009 saw a cold, rainy winter. Budburst and flowering occurred in the usual periods under normal conditions, but seemed to predict a relatively small yield. Temperature in June and July was below average, and there was even some rain. August was very hot, causing the grapes to reach a high level of maturity. Harvest began in the first days of September under a high temperature.
In the winery
The yield was lower than expected, but the grapes were healthy and ripe, with soft acidity. Produced from traditional varieties, fermentation took place in open granite tanks (lagares), where it was interrupted by the addition of grape spirit to preserve a degree of natural sweetness. The Port was then aged in 'pipes' and larger casks.
