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Part of the large vertical of Cockburn which was held in The Crusting Pipe on Wednesday 8th October 2008. Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 189? Unknown, thought to be Taylor;
• 1908 Cockburn;
• 1912 Cockburn;
• 1924 Unknown;
• 1927 Cockburn;
• 1935 Cockburn (served to left side of table);
• 1935 Cockburn (served to right side of table);
• 1947 Cockburn;
• 1950 Cockburn;
• 1955 Cockburn;
• 1960 Cockburn;
• 1963 Cockburn;
• 1967 Cockburn;
• 1970 Cockburn;
• 1975 Cockburn;
• 1977 Cockburn (unofficial bottling);
• 1983 Cockburn;
• 1985 Cockburn;
• 1991 Cockburn;
• 1994 Cockburn;
• 1997 Cockburn;
• 2000 Cockburn;
• 2003 Cockburn;
• 2007 Cockburn cask sample (Touriga Nacional);
• 2007 Cockburn cask sample (Touriga Franca);
• Planning and arrangements;
• Placemats.

1991 Cockburn: pleasing to behold — full red. Nosing of VA, in the form of glue. Mouthfeel OK; tasted ruined by VA.

Whilst most of the participants, including Miguel, seemed to agree with JDAW I noted "Dark. Floral nose. Great mouthfeel. Chewy. Long mouthwatering finish." I also noted this as my 4th favourite of the afternoon flight. I stand by that assessment as I really did enjoy this wine. I wonder how many of the others were influenced by Miguel's pre-tasting comment that declaring this wine was a mistake?

Light colour, clear centre, pale rim. VA dominating the nose and mouth. Not rated.

Miguel Côrte-Real sent AHB some of his own notes on the various vintages, some obviously drafted in advance, some from the day itself.

Miguel Côrte-Real wrote:1991

Generic Information
A good rather than great vintage. Not declared by Taylor and Fonseca.

Year/Viticulture
Good growing conditions through most of the season but with some extremes of heat and cold made some winemaking challenges. The crop was small and, mainly in the Douro Superior, affected by some extremely high temperatures before harvest.

MC-R notes
VA. 6/10