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1983 Cockburn

Posted: 16:31 Mon 30 Jan 2012
by Chris Doty
I don't have many Cockburns in my cellar. Perhaps this owes, at least in part, to its rather unsavory name (when pronounced as an American male would tend to pronounce it, as if insulting a good friend 'you cockburn', etc).

Anyway, my experience with the 83 has led me thinking that this approach to port cellar management may require a revision.

This is a fabulous, balanced, long, and appropriately 'untucked' effort. Sadly, by about hour 4 or so the bottle was drained, so I cannot comment intelligently about the prospects of extended cellar time, but this was really a pleasant surprise. Not quite up to the 83 Grahams that I had the other week, but certainly deserving a place in the same discussion.

Color: 20% transparent / 80% opaque - with only slight watering towards the very rim of the sideways turned glass

Nose: A healthy amount of Lemon rind, some peppermint, some plums. Very Nice, and just a hint of spirit.

Palate: Great transitions -- this wine was about subtle balance.

Finish: Long and satisfying.

A full 90 points, and a wine I will actively seek out in upcoming auctions (paws off!)

As a general comment, while still young by the standards of my English friends, I have really been impressed with how the Class of 1983 is drinking at the moment. To me, primary fruit and balance are essential components of any truly remarkable port, and so far I have been encouraged with how these bottles have been delivering on both counts. Any other 83s (besides Graham and Fonseca) you would suggest?

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 16:58 Mon 30 Jan 2012
by DRT
Chris,

Glad to hear you got a good bottle of this.

But, if you are serious about stashing up on this wine, Caveat Emptor!...

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... f=1&t=7892

Derek

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 20:09 Mon 30 Jan 2012
by Chris Doty
WoW!

I had no idea.

I had never seen an 83 Cockburn's before, and I got this one at auction with a few other bottles at a price that I thought was attractive (~$60). A reputable merchant a few blocks from my office is trying to move bottles at $199 per :pig:

Looks like a dodged a bullet on this one.

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 10:56 Thu 02 Feb 2012
by Alex Bridgeman
1983s I would recommend are Graham, Dow, Warre; Gould Campell and Smith Woodhouse if you can find them. I'm not a fan of the Taylor, Fonseca or Roeda. Other producers I've been impressed by include Kopke (watch out for TCA), Martinez and Offley. None of these others are up to the standard of Graham or a clean Cockburn though, IMHO.

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 10:56 Sat 04 Feb 2012
by Axel P
Two years ago I bought a case for almost nothing in Porto, but had to open 3 bottles to get one right. It can be a very good port, but likewise the Niepoort 97 or some 85s I would not recommend buying these.

Axel

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 20:51 Sat 04 Feb 2012
by WS1
AHB wrote:1983s I would recommend are Graham, Dow, Warre; Gould Campell and Smith Woodhouse if you can find them. I'm not a fan of the Taylor, Fonseca or Roeda. Other producers I've been impressed by include Kopke (watch out for TCA), Martinez and Offley. None of these others are up to the standard of Graham or a clean Cockburn though, IMHO.
Tssss, as usual you forgot Niepoort! Also Quarles Harris 1983 is very good; some even believe that Quarles Haris 1983 is better than SWC 1983 and Gould Campell 1983. But to be fair this is down to different taste preferances. :)

regards

WS1

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 23:55 Sat 04 Feb 2012
by Alex Bridgeman
WS1 wrote:Tssss, as usual you forgot Niepoort!
I've never had a Niepoort 1983! That's why I couldn't put it on the list of '83s that have impressed me in the past.

I quite like QH83, but not as much as the others I named.

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Posted: 08:52 Sun 05 Feb 2012
by WS1
AHB wrote:
WS1 wrote:Tssss, as usual you forgot Niepoort!
I've never had a Niepoort 1983! That's why I couldn't put it on the list of '83s that have impressed me in the past.

I quite like QH83, but not as much as the others I named.
Aah then this makes sense! I am sure you get to taste Niepoort 1983 at one stage. :wink:

regards

WS1