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A Cockburn vertical hosted by Axel at the Kasino Hotel in at Bayerpark Leverkusen in Germany. The line-up comprised '27, '35, '45, '55, '60, '63, '66, '67, '70, '75, '77, '83, '91, '94, '97, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2011 with additional Canais 2000, 2006, 2007.

A very interesting range, with many comparisons and several non-released (but should have been) vintages. Three bottles exhibited some fault (though only one catastrophically to me), but most showed well. Some highlights:
- The 45 was absolutely superb, top notch (and not declared), my clear WOTN
- The 35 was badly faulty - however not everyone agreed about this; I wrote VA and found it almost undrinkable yet others voted for it; The most contentious wine of the night perhaps. All agreed the 83 was badly corked, though still drinkable.
- Comparing the 60 vs 63 showed the 60 as softer, but better balanced than the 63, while the latter had more structure and a firmer backbone, also cleaner, yet less complete. The 66 was superb, and definitely should have been declared.
- 55 and 70 were both good, but neither were as dark as would be expected, perhaps a little weaker than other main shippers
- In the Cockburn/Canais comparisons within the same year (00, 07), the Canais won each time for me

Voting was interesting, with many voting for the younger wines, and the 2011 winning (the first vertical tasting I can remember where the youngest wine won!). Both Tom and I were surprised by the lack of votes for the '45, but were very happy to trade glasses with others (along with some kind doners) and spent a very pleasant long hour in '45-heaven. My top three in order were '45, '66, '60. The voting will be interesting if Christopher or Axel are able to post it.

The venue itself was excellent, the hotel is highly recommended as clean, good value, friendly, comfortable and the best "non-full-English" breakfast I've had in a hotel in a long time. Overall a well organised event, friendly and enjoyable. Additional thanks to Axel and Wolfgang for their company on the previous evening, some excellent wines with the meal including a very fine Barca Vehla alongside a superb steak with some enjoyable tawnies informally afterwards, and overall an excellent weekend. Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome, and to Axel for the overall organisation and hosting.

That sounds like an excellent evening. I have been to one of Axel’s Leverkusen events (Niepoort), and it was also excellent.

Please do say whence came the ’45.

very interesiting evening, that gives a quiet good overview about Cockburns Vintage Ports.

even I expected I was very disappointed about the quality of the wines from 80´s and 90´s, the most of them were a shame for a Vintage Port. Normally 94 is on par, but our bottle was mediocre, due to a reason I don´t know, but I had a better bottle some month ago. with the beginning of the 2000s things getting better, and I think 2011 is another step back to very good times in the beginning of the 20th century of Cockburn.

For me the best Ports of the evening: 45, 55, 60 and 63. All are classic VP, very good but not outstanding, now in perfect drinking age. The older ones 27 and 35 (sadly a little bit faulty, but I had another, better one at a tasting in Porto in February) were still good, but mayby best drunk one or two decades before.

Great pictures, thanks for posting them.

Please do say whence came the ’45.

According to Axel's info flyer the '45 was provided by Paul Symington. I guess that means directly from the Cockburn cellars.

AW77 wrote:According to Axel's info flyer the '45 was provided by Paul Symington. I guess that means directly from the Cockburn cellars.

From the shipper: the traditional source for the best undeclared vintages. Thank you.

(And I fixed your BBcode.)