1994 Cockburn Vintage Port

[Moses Botbol]

Pop and pour from a few cases I bought from a woman who was bequeathed this port from her liquor store owner father. From what I had been told, this port has been in proper storage since day one. This is the first time I have had this vintage and also have a case in magnums from her.

The color is dark and to the edge. The nose is a bit hot with pastry dough and what Elys thought was sweet pear. Has bit of freshness in the mouth and very light spearmint as well. The body is quite nice with just the right out amount of viscosity. Elys said “quite nice”. In the mouth, it tasted like strawberry or just “general berry”, along with grape, vanilla, and a tobacco finish. It’s quite early to give right final verdict on this. Perhaps tomorrow will reveal more (if the two of us don’t kill it tonight).

The nose keeps developing and the tobacco comes out more and more. No, this has nothing to do with Montecrito A I just finished. Elys say there’s a honey component that comes out. Not sure if I taste it yet, but she is usually right… Still tasting the pastry dough and still bit hot.

Overall, at this point it is quite nice and what Elys said "I could get drunk from this". This is a solid port that I think will take a complex turn in the next 10+ years. Not as heavy as the '83, but still a full bodied port. There you go... As for rating I would give this 90 points. More to follow.

[Roy Hersh]

I agree that the 1983 when spot on, is a higher quality VP than the 1994, which I do like overall.

[Moses Botbol]

t+ 24

This port is hot and still primary. It actually has become simpler and more straightforward over time. The tobacco has remained and is still quite grapey. This is not as robust and powerful as 1983 yet not a hint of TCA (yeah). A bit dryer than it was yesterday; as for rating I would give this 90 points. The book is not written on this vintage. It needs more time to really show well. It’s a little thinner than yesterday but the primary taste and firm backbone lead to think this will port will go another 10-20 years.

[Moses Botbol]

Just opened a bottle from a different case and supplier than the one previously talked about. The pop and pour is simple grape and hot. So far nothing special. Not that thick either. I have a feeling it will gain weight and intensity over the night.

My intent is to have it tomorrow night. 24 decant should do it.

[Kurt Wieneke]

I had a bottle last December, and also found that it was pretty good on day one, but very spirity and hot. So, not sure where this is headed . . . maybe some '94's have gone into an ugly duckling stage.

[Moses Botbol]

24 hours later, the Cockburn 94 has shed its heat and become a lovely intense port and very Cockburn in style. I drank it with a Bolivar Royal Corona and as such I thought the Cockburn displayed some tobacco notes, along dark fruit and a medium length finish. Much improved from yesterday. I see this vintage as having many years ahead.

[Andy Velebil]

I had a bottle last December, and also found that it was pretty good on day one, but very spirity and hot. So, not sure where this is headed . . . maybe some '94's have gone into an ugly duckling stage.

The 1994 Quinta do Crasto I had last weekend appeared to be in this ugly duckling stage as well.