Boplaas Cape Vintage ‘Port’ 2022

When talking about South African “Port”-style wines and brandies, Boplaas, meaning “top farm” in Afrikaans immediately comes to mind. Based in the remote town of Calitzdorp, the estate has been in the Nel family since 1880, giving them well over a century to refine their expertise. Their consistent recognition, including frequent “Port of the Year” awards from Tim Atkin MW and numerous Platter 5-star ratings, speaks to that mastery.

Boplaas produces its “Port” in true Douro tradition. They work exclusively with Portuguese grape varieties, harvested at full ripeness and fermented in traditional open tanks called lagares. The process includes vigorous manual punch-downs, fortifying at the perfect moment with high-quality grape spirit, and careful maturation in barrel.

Deep purple in the glass, the wine offers layers of dark fruit, from blackberry to stewed cherry, alongside notes of violets, black pepper, and dark chocolate. The palate follows suit. It's rich, full-bodied, with generous ripe tannins and seamlessly integrated alcohol. The finish seems to go on forever. Truly captivating.