1963 Cockburn

[jdaw1]

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.

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

Very wet above the cork:

[jdaw1]

1963 Cockburn: same red as most of the old Cockburns, so lighter than the ’60. No nose recorded; and the taste spoiled by a late-palate bitterness.

[DRT]

My note mostly agrees with JDAW: "Not as dark as the 1960. Spirity. Chocolate, thick. Slightly bitter on the end."

[Overtired and emotional]

A lonely bottle has for some years awaited a fitting end; I had planned this for the coming weekend with some guests. The tasting note make me wonder whether this vintage (of this wine) is over the hill or whether it just needs a little extra care on decanting. Looked as if 6-8 hours would be a good idea.

Any guidance, my brothers in adversity?

[DRT]

John,

As can be seen from the picture above the cork on this bottle had failed and the seal was being held together by the capsule. For that reason I am not sure that this can be considered a representative bottle of this wine.

Derek

[Overtired and emotional]

This is good service, if ever I saw it.

My bottle has a good level and a very sound capsule. It will be a disappointment if it has gone. Will report next week.

Thanks.

[jdaw1]

Looked as if 6-8 hours would be a good idea.

Very reasonable. Decant soon after breaking the fast. Don’t drink until dusk.

[Overtired and emotional]

It turned out nicely. The cork was beginning to fail, the failure disguised by an odd plastic seal, looking the same as the one in your picture. Tasted after a couple of hours, it was marred by a slight spirity finish, but after six hours its fruit was quite forward.

It was, by evening, well balanced, almost light, wearing its years easily. I am glad not to have left it longer, but like any good oddment, you wish you had bought another.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Deep red but mature in colour. A little closed on the mose but opens to reveal an elegant mix of cranberry, orange and mint. Plenty of fruit and some interesting complexity in the mid-palate. Very long aftertaste. Excellent port and much better than a bottle tasted early in the year. 91/100.

[jdaw1]

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

1963

Generic Information
A classic vintage declared by everybody. Cockburn's is one of the superstars of the year together with Croft, Fonseca and Noval Nacional

Year/Viticulture
One of the rare years when it was clear shippers would declare a vintage the moment the first grape was picked. A perfect weather during the growing season and harvest.

Tasting Notes
Full, rich, intense, still lots of freshness and breed. At the beginning they were extremely tannic. Today they are soft and well matured, but powerful with a nose or caramels and butter and flavours of ripe berry, orange peel and chocolate.

Other
Today's auction prices of the '63s reflect the great reputation this year deserves.

Last minute notes
Toffee, a bit austere, dry finish, spicy, peppery.

MC-R notes
9/10