1983 Cockburn

Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Chris Doty
Graham’s Malvedos 1996
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Joined: 12:30 Fri 29 Jan 2010

1983 Cockburn

Post 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?
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DRT
Fonseca 1966
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Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Chris Doty
Graham’s Malvedos 1996
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Joined: 12:30 Fri 29 Jan 2010

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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.
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
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Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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Axel P
Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
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Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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
worldofport.com
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WS1
Cruz 1989
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Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
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Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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WS1
Cruz 1989
Posts: 1058
Joined: 23:08 Wed 04 Feb 2009
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: 1983 Cockburn

Post 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
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
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