NV Cockburn’s Special Reserve

[jdaw1]

In The Bung Hole (discussion of name of location), on Tuesday 31 January 2012, we gathered with “Port to Share”.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1985 Smith Woodhouse;
• 1985 Martinez;
• Graham’s Crusted bottled 2004 (a);
• Graham’s Crusted bottled 2004 (b);
• Cockburn’s Special Reserve;
• 1998 Vesuvio;
• 1991 Dow;
• 1994 Cockburn;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

CkSR: opened the previous Thursday. One or two glasses had been poured from the bottle, which was then resealed. So not really ‘decanted’, but it had received some air. Bright bright red, 80% opaque. Nosing strongly of strawberries, with some raspberries behind. Lots of heat mid-palate; more heat late-palate. Sweet early; dry late. Very acceptable drinking.

The former reputation is no longer deserved.

In a previous life, when I didn't have to savour any drinkable drop of port, I used bottles that had been open for a long time. Now I buy Cockburn Special Reserve for cooking.

[DRT]

Bright red. Strawberry nose. Sweet entry, slightly bitter and dry in the finish but perfectly acceptable port.

[RonnieRoots]

You are right Julian, I tasted the new blend too recently and it is a very decent Port. The Symington's really did a good job with it.