In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Cheese board
An everyday reserve for cheeses. -
Chocolate dessert
Fruit lifts cocoa. -
Walnut cake
Spice frames the nutty sponge.
How to serve Cockburn's Special Reserve
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Port glass or small Bordeaux glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cheese board, Chocolate dessert, Walnut cake. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Cockburn's Special Reserve became one of the best-selling reserve rubies in the UK market.
- 1969 — Special Reserve established as the flagship ruby
Facts
- Producer
- Cockburn's Port
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
- Classification
- DOC Porto
- Oak
- A reserve ruby blend aged in wood
- ABV
- 20.0%
- Price
- EUR 12 to 16 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0 to 2 from release
- First vintage
- 1969
Scores
- Wine Spectator 87
Frequently asked about Cockburn's Special Reserve
What does Cockburn's Special Reserve taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a medium finish. One of the UK's best-loved reserve rubies, smooth and fruit-driven with a gently dry Cockburn's finish.
When should I drink Cockburn's Special Reserve?
Drink 0 to 2 from release. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Cockburn's Special Reserve?
Cheese board is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chocolate dessert and Walnut cake. An everyday reserve for cheeses.
What grapes are in Cockburn's Special Reserve?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca. The wine is classified as DOC Porto.