1983 Cockburn's Vintage Port

[Al B.]

The second of the pair of bottles of Cockburn '83 that I purchased in March 2006. Decanted cleanly and easily off some well settled and heavy sediment (after only 1 day of standing upright). The nose on decanting was muted and a little musty.

After 2½ hours in the decanter the wine was a clear and sparkling deep ruby. The nose was of sweet redcurrants but with still with a dusty / musty tone that distracted from what could have been very attractive. In the mouth the wine brought an initial impact of sweet and ripe redcurrants and cranberries. Plenty of acidity providing structure in the mid palate but not a huge amount of development. The tannins come through late and are clearly evident - and surprisingly dense - on the aftertaste, which is very pleasant and brings a lot of aniseed.

A decent wine, but very much in the middle of the pack and not a bottle that supports the very positive reviews that this wine obtains from some drinkers. 5/6 or 87/100.

[Roy Hersh]

Clearly another in a long line of flawed 1983 Cockburn's. I had three in a row that were corked a couple of years ago. TCA taint varies, but I have heard a TON of folks that purchased their bottles from a broad spectrum of retailers in the USA, Canada, UK and other parts of the EU with similar horror stories.

The few great bottles of this particular VP I have had, are memorable. Sadly, the track record of faulty bottles is WAY too prevalent for my liking. I don't know a single other bottling with as many issues as this one. I fear every single time I open one of these (as I have a bunch left in my cellar) as having experiences similar to Alex's is a crying shame, especially when included in 1983 horizontal tastings or others of prominence.

Alex, did you get to try this after the first day? I assume by then it was very obviously corked, eh?

[Al B.]

I'm pretty sure that this bottle was not TCA tainted. I'm drinking it now (day 2, approx. 26 hours after decanting) and there is definitely no TCA taint but the wine is still "dusty".

Its very pleasant and enjoyable to drink, probably up to 88 points as it has a very good, chocolately length, but is not the stunning blockbuster that it is reputed to be able to offer.

Never mind, I'm still enjoying it but put it on a par with the Warre '83 which I also enjoy as an "everyday" vintage port.

Alex

[simon Lisle]

I have a few bottles of this port and I'm now feeling a bit disapointed

[Robert O.]

I had been eyeing a bottle of this myself but now maybe I'll pass unless I can find it for a steal.

Bob

[Moses Botbol]

I have this port about 4 times and only once was it not TCA altered and it was a thick full port that drank like it could go several more decades. I wouldn't want to gamble on the purchasing more as others were just dumped down the drain.

When you find this a non-TCA bottle, it is one of the best ports from the 80's.

[dave leach]

its a true shame that cockburns can't address this issue head on. it is THE premier release on all vps that year, i believe it made your top 12 too roy. i'd love to know what the producer says is the main issue, whether it was a bad batch of corks, whether their barrels/production line was contaminated, improper storage after bottling. i seem to recall suckling writing in ws a few years ago that many producers experienced unusual amounts of va in the 85 vintage, but no mention of that affecting 1983.
i've had 4 sensational bottles of 83 cockburns in the last couple years, and only one tainted bottle. if its a good bottle, i think it vies with the 85 grahams and fonseca as the port of the decade. but i too am hesitant to purchase any more, after reading here about all of the spoiled bottles others have encountered.

is there a solution to this problem, or is it caveat emptor??

[Andy Velebil]

I only have 2 left and I have no intentions of buying more unless I get one heck of a really cheap price. Just not worth the risk IMO.

[Eric Duprey]

I was thinking of bringing my bottle of Cockburn 1983 to Thanksgiving this year, but from what I've been hearing I'm a little worried about it. I think I may opt for a Ferreira 1977 instead, or at least have the 77 ready as a back-up.

[Moses Botbol]

I was thinking of bringing my bottle of Cockburn 1983 to Thanksgiving this year, but from what I've been hearing I'm a little worried about it. I think I may opt for a Ferreira 1977 instead, or at least have the 77 ready as a back-up.

That '77 Ferreira sounds interesting. How long have you had that one? Very hard to find.