Multi: Cockburn Ports, assorted years and types

[Michael Ferrier]

Roy's posting on the 2000 VPs prompted me to post some very amateur notes on a recent tasting of Cockburn's ports (my confidence was emboldened by the fact that of the wines shown I did buy some 2000 and maybe my judgement was not too bad)

2000 LBV (bott. 2005) : Heavy rich nose but taste was a bit bland and flabby

10 yr old Tawny : Light nutty nose, rather sweet but nutty taste

20 yr old Tawny : slightly spirity nose, proper (i.e. not too heavy) fruit cake taste.

2003 Quinta Dos Canais (60% Touriga Nacional) : Heavy rich violet nose then figs and violets, well balanced already showing signs of how it might mature. (This was good value and I did buy some).

2003 VP : Even more figs and violets on the nose, despite being more closed than the Canais it was fuller, rounder and more balanced

2000 VP : very figgy nose, very closed, but all there in every respect.

1977 VP : spirity nose, light but a very great sweetness that seems to me to characterise the '77s. Better than Warres but not as good as Grahams (both of which I have tried in the last month). NB The observant amongst you will have remembered that Cockburn did not declare a vintage in 1977; none-the-less they did make some - I do wonder how often this happens and what happens to the 'Not the 19XX vintage' wines that are made but not declared.

1983 : Excellent all round, will definitely keep, not as good as the Grahams '83 but still excellent.

1963 : Completely balanced, outsatnding, 'tho not quite as good as the only other '63 of which I have experience, Dow.

The tasting was presented by Miguel Corte-Real Da Silva Gomes who seemed quietly confident of the arrangement with Symington's given, in his opinion the fact that Cockburns had the best properties and Symingtons had outstanding wine making skills.

[Al B.]

Michael

Thanks for posting your notes. Interesting to see the 1977 Cockburn mentioned. The other interesting point and surprise to me was to see that Cockburn made both a full blended VP and a Canais SQVP in 2003. I wonder why?

Alex

[Michael Ferrier]

Alex
No indication as to why they decided to do both was given and I didn't get a chance to ask - the few minutes I had with Miguel CR da SG was occupied with discussing the Symington deal. As the Canais was half the price of the VP I bought some.
Michael