Cockburn's Special Reserve Port NV

Cockburn's, founded in 1815, introduced Special Reserve in 1969 as one of the first premium reserve ports, bridging the gap between ruby and vintage styles. The wine is sourced primarily from estate vineyards in the Douro Superior, where schist soils and warm conditions yield grapes with intense concentration. Fruit is hand-picked and vinified in a combination of stainless steel and traditional open tanks, with controlled maceration to extract colour and tannin. After fermentation, the wine is matured for up to five years in large seasoned oak vats at Cockburn's cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Each batch is blended for consistency, offering deep ruby colour, notes of black cherry, plum, and subtle spice, along with a firm tannic structure. Bottled at 20% abv under driven cork, Special Reserve is intended for immediate enjoyment but can develop further complexity with short-term cellaring.

Tasting Profile

Food Pairings:

Cheese

Dessert