2017 Cockburn Vintage Port
Grape
52% Touriga Nacional and 30% Touriga Franca, backed by Sousão and Alicante Bouschet
Its Origins
Cockburn was founded nearly 200 years ago by Scotsman, Robert Cockburn, who returned to Portugal after first visiting the country as a soldier fighting under Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars. Originally it was based in the Douro valley, the traditional centre of Port production. A year later, Cockburn moved east to the Upper Douro Valley. Cockburn has a reputation as innovators, which, in such a traditional and conservative industry is sometimes considered disregard for the “rules”. It has, however, brought them great success, namely the revival of the Touriga Nacional vine. A grape recognised for its exceptional quality. Touriga Nacional now accounts for 35% of Cockburns yield. Cockburns has led the way in modernising standards of wine and environmental management and in 1994 it became the first wine company to be awarded the ISO 9002 for quality management, wine making and production operations. The ex-owners of Cockburns, Beam Global Spirits, decided to divest the Cockburn’s Port Brand to the Symington Family Estates, the leading producer of premium quality ports. Following the transaction, the Symington family has applied their skill and expertise in the production of Port, which dates back for generations, towards further development and growth of Cockburn’s around the world.
What The Critics Say
98/100 James Suckling
"Insane aromas of crushed berry, flowers and lifted ester like a fermenting lagar. Full body, tannic yet so finely grained in texture. Extremely long and beautiful. It goes on for minutes.2,500 cases. Try in 2026."-
95/100 Vinous, Neil Martin
"The 2017 Cockburn’s Vintage Port, picked from August 28, comes mainly from Quinta dos Canais (74% of the blend.) It sports an iridescent purple hue. It has an irresistible nose with black plum, raisin, vanilla and blackcurrant, super-concentrated but managing to maintain superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and full of tension. I must admit to being shocked how tense and agile this Cockburn’s is showing. It is a live-wire young Port, brimming over with energy and bridle and with an almost citrus-fresh finish that leaves the mouth tingling. The name might be synonymous with the more commercial end of Port, however, recent vintages testify a fortified wine that should be taken very seriously. Superb. Total production is 2,500 cases."
94-96/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Mark Squires
"The 2017 Vintage Port is a blend of 52% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca and small portions of Sousão and Alicante Bouschet bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in seasoned vats. However, I actually tasted a pre-bottling sample because there was some fear of bottling shock. This is sourced from south-facing vineyards in Douro Superior that have a higher proportion of Touriga Nacional. It comes in with 107 grams of residual sugar. -- The terroir and the vintage combine to make this a wine that seems at the moment a bit bigger than Dow's this year. Unlike in 2015, however, it also maintains its balance well. This has velvet for texture, fine aromatics and a long finish, but it is always elegant, never jammy. It is still concentrated, and aeration proves how well it can evolve. It finishes with some pop and power, but it will be approachable relatively young. Relatively is the key word there, as it shows plenty of power. Like the Warre's, a Symington sibling this issue, it seems to be a cut above this year, the best in the brand for a while, and superior to both the 2016 and 2015. It is able to hold up to some of its more famous siblings in the Symington stable this issue. There were 2,500 cases produced." Drink 2027 - 2070
| Variety | Port |
|---|---|
| Region | Douro |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 20.00% |
| Maturity | 2027 - 2070 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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