99
James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com
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.
95 Neal Martin - Vinous Media
The 2016 Cockburn’s, which comes mainly from the Bico de Pato vineyard, is deep in colour, perhaps more so than other vintages of this Port encountered during previous declaration tastings. The nose is tight at first, almost Bordeaux-like with blackberry, raspberry coulis, touches of inkwell and cassis. There is admirable purity here. The palate is beautifully balanced with supple tannin, a wonderful line of acidity and immense harmony. There is presence but not weight, a silky smooth finish with hints of raisin and fig that linger tenderly in the mouth. What a marvellous Cockburn’s! (NM)
93 Mark Squires - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Vintage Port, bottled in May 2018, is a blend of 62% Touriga Nacional, 21% Touriga Franca and small portions of Sousão and Alicante Bouschet. It comes in with 106 grams of residual sugar. Fairly intense and even tighter than Graham's, this might be somewhat approachable in a few years, but it really needs to open up. It will require more time than the wines like Warre's and Smith Woodhouse in the Symington stable. Beautifully wrought, this looks like an impressive Cockburn's, more balanced and fresher than the stolid and jammy 2015 yet still with fine concentration to go with the freshness.