This was critically important if the lack of rain had been combined with extreme temperatures, the outcome could have been very different. Some respite – they were slightly below the 30-year average. Fortunately, summer temperatures provided It is quite extraordinary just how well-adapted our indigenous grape varieties are to the Douro’s challenging conditions. The summer was bone dry, just 6.2 mm recorded in June (monthly average: 24.3 mm), and not a single drop fell during July, August or September. At Quinta dos Canais we had half the rainfall of an average year (just 246 mm) and temperatures broke several records during the spring. A very complete wine, complex and finely tuned that suggests impressive longevity.Ģ017 will be remembered as one of the hottest and driest years in the Douro. The palate is intense with layers of blueberry and kirsch flavours underpinned by peppery tannins which provide Cockburn's signature grip. Fresh, mineral notes are evocative of eucalyptus and anise. The Cockburn 2017 has resinous, forest floor aromas with bergamot notes mingling with rockrose scents. Drinking Window 2035 – 2060" Richard Mayson, Decanter, Jul 2019 It’s classically structured with lovely concentration and a powerful finish, perhaps not showing the freshness of some other ’17s but still very impressive. The palate is sweet and fleshy initially, with ripe berry fruits and solid, spicy tannins. This is one of few wines in 2017 showing a touch of warmth on the nose, with opulent, heady floral fruit. It’s a well priced example and looks to be one of the best value wines of the vintage. "Mostly sourced from Quinta dos Canais, this is a blend of 52% Touriga Nacional and 30% Touriga Franca, backed by Sousão and Alicante Bouschet. The name might be synonymous with the more commercial end of Port, however, recent vintages testify a fortified wine that should be taken very seriously. It is a livewire young Port, brimming over with energy and bridle and with an almost citrus-fresh finish that leaves the mouth tingling. I must admit to being shocked how tense and agile this Cockburn’s is showing.
The palate is medium-bodied and full of tension. It has an irresistible nose with black plum, raisin, vanilla and blackcurrant, super-concentrated but managing to maintain superb delineation. "The 2017 Cockburn’s Vintage Port, picked from August 28, comes mainly from Quinta dos Canais (74% of the blend.) It sports an iridescent purple hue. Drink from 2030" Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Oct 2019 Depth and structure ensure long-term aging. A jammy blackberry flavor shines through and is lifted by bright acidity.
"This wine’s opulent intensity comes from the powerful tannins.
Best from 2032 through 2050" James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, Oct 2019 "Packed with creamed blueberry, açaí berry and boysenberry fruit and carried by waves of velvety structure and warm fruitcake notes, this is showy in style, featuring an embedded graphite spine, alluring spice details and a flash of floral nuance through the finish, imparting superior range and length. It goes on for minutes" James Suckling, Jamessuckling, May 2019 Full body, tannic yet so finely grained in texture. The grapes were subject to soft-crushing and destemming before undergoing a very intense maceration, during alcoholic fermentation, via treading in granite lagares at automatically-controlled temperatures."Insane aromas of crushed berry, flowers and lifted ester like a fermenting lagar. Using traditional Porto Wine technology, this wine was vinified at the Quinta do Seixo winery from grapes originating both there and at Quinta do Vau. The final lot was obtained only further to rigorous selection of the wines, only those of the highest quality being used. During this period, the wines were subject to racking, analysis and testing to monitor the aging process.
The following spring, it was transferred to Vila Nova de Gaia, where began the traditional aging process for Port Wines in oak casks. A great invitation for a very long and elegant finish.Īfter the harvest, the wine remained in the Douro, where it was subject to its first racking during the winter. Great volume on the palate with a vibrant and fresh acidity, firm high quality tannins, floral notes of rockrose and hints of black fruit and chocolate. The aroma is intense and complex, with prominent notes of well-ripened black fruit, resin as well as hints of cocoa and chocolate as a result of its excellent maturation. This wine has an opaque, almost black colour.