Cockburn's, Vintage Port, 2024

Cockburn’s recent past is very similar to Croft’s. It was purchased by Symington in the mid-2000s, to reinvigorate an ailing brand with a storied past. Its main vineyard is deep in the Douro valley, across the river from Taylor’s Vargellas vineyard. The eastern side of the Douro with their south facing vineyards bequeath fantastically ripe wines. However, they are heavily planted with Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca (25%). These grapes have a late ripening cycle and lend the wines a burst of citrus, blossom and kirsch which tames the heat of the vineyard site. Deep, rich and powerful, but very sleek and stylish, the 2024 offers a deep purple hue with baked plum, blueberry, kirsch and Turkish delight. There is a lovely mid-palate minerality here and beautifully integrated spirit. Orange blossom, chocolate, clove, cinnamon are allied to lovely grippy tannins on the finish.