Cockburn's Vintage Port 2016

Crafted in the famed Douro Valley of Portugal, Cockburn's Vintage Port 2016 represents an extraordinary expression from a classic vintage declared across the region. Sourced from Cockburn's prized vineyard holdings—principally Quinta dos Canais and Quinta do Vale Coelho in the rugged Douro Superior—this wine is built on a foundation of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, and Alicante Bousquet. Grown on steep, schistose terraces along the Douro River, the hand-harvested grapes are traditionally foot-trodden in granite lagares to extract deep color, rich tannins, and intense fruit concentration. Fortified with neutral grape spirit and aged in oak casks before early bottling, Cockburn's 2016 displays remarkable power, muscular grip, and a vibrant, expressive fruit profile with decades of cellaring potential.

Food Pairing: Blue cheeses like Stilton, Gorgonzola, or Roquefort, dark chocolate desserts, fruit tarts, roasted nuts, and savory game dishes.

99 Points - James Suckling

This shows fantastic graphite and dark-berry character with black-stone undertones and hints of dried roses. Full-bodied and very tight and precise. Good kick in the end. Love the polished tannins, which are totally folded into the wine. Reminds me of the 1947 Cockburn. Try in 2024.

96 Points - Wine Spectator

This is quite primal, with lush waves of plum, blackberry and açai berry reduction rolling through, pushed by warm licorice and Black Forest cake notes. A substantial bass line thumps on the finish, showing plenty of sparkly spice and incense details hitting the top range. Best from 2030 through 2050. 2,450 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

The wine has structure, swathes of juicy fruit and acidity along with fine tannins. It is certainly balanced with deliciously luscious fruit, and a rich texture that is suggesting good aging potential. Drink from 2028. Roger Voss