Cockburns Special Reserve Port.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

I guess this is a ruby port? Chap at work showed me a bottle and the tag had some numbers with 04 underneath. What does this signify please?

Happy New Year to all .

[Andy Velebil]

This is a ruby reserve port. A step up from a basic ruby. A nice one at that. I just opened a bottle the other day to cook with and of course to sample to ensure it was ok to cook with :)

[Glenn E.]

Sounds like the Selo number, Bob. Usually two numbers/letters on top, a row of 6 in the middle, then two more on the bottom. 04 would just be coincidence... The numbers have nothing to do with the date.

[Roy Hersh]

I believe this still remains the number one selling Port worldwide. It was for many years, don't know that it has changed. Absolutely huge and worthy of not declaring the 1977 VP in order to get the product launched, finally, in the UK which made all the difference in the world.

[Bradley Bogdan]

I believe this still remains the number one selling Port worldwide. It was for many years, don't know that it has changed. Absolutely huge and worthy of not declaring the 1977 VP in order to get the product launched, finally, in the UK which made all the difference in the world.

Fascinating, I was reading recently (in one of Decanters recent back page "legend" wine articles I think) where it was implied that the house was amiss in missing a few major declarations in that era, such as '77. This puts that in a whole new light.

[Al B.]

I believe this still remains the number one selling Port worldwide. It was for many years, don't know that it has changed. Absolutely huge and worthy of not declaring the 1977 VP in order to get the product launched, finally, in the UK which made all the difference in the world.

Fascinating, I was reading recently (in one of Decanters recent back page "legend" wine articles I think) where it was implied that the house was amiss in missing a few major declarations in that era, such as '77. This puts that in a whole new light.

Ah, that would have been the article about the Cockburn 1947. I read that article with interest. Although Cockburn did not release the 1977 vintage (or the 1966) they did make and bottle it and bottles do occasionally crop up at tastings or on the secondary market.

[Bradley Bogdan]

I believe this still remains the number one selling Port worldwide. It was for many years, don't know that it has changed. Absolutely huge and worthy of not declaring the 1977 VP in order to get the product launched, finally, in the UK which made all the difference in the world.

Fascinating, I was reading recently (in one of Decanters recent back page "legend" wine articles I think) where it was implied that the house was amiss in missing a few major declarations in that era, such as '77. This puts that in a whole new light.

Ah, that would have been the article about the Cockburn 1947. I read that article with interest. Although Cockburn did not release the 1977 vintage (or the 1966) they did make and bottle it and bottles do occasionally crop up at tastings or on the secondary market.

That would explain another book referencing a Cockburn '77. My first thought reading the article, though, was "that's the best picture you can come up with??" Haha. I know a lot of older wines wind up with facsimile labels at some point, but at least find one that's legible for your full page picture!