Wines Port Cockburn’s - Special Reserve

Cockburn’s Special Reserve is a Port wine that beautifully encapsulates the heritage of the Douro Valley, crafted by one of Portugal’s historic Port houses. As a non-vintage blend, this red wine is meticulously assembled from several harvests to achieve consistency and balance. The wine typically comprises indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca, sourced from prime vineyard sites along the steep, schistose slopes flanking the Douro River. After fermentation, the wine is fortified with grape spirit to retain natural sweetness before maturing in large oak vats, acquiring a rich complexity and a signature smoothness that defines the house style. Special Reserve sits stylistically between a Ruby and a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), offering more depth and maturity than standard ruby Ports.

The Douro Valley, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world. The region enjoys a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters, ideal for ripening robust, concentrated grapes. The unique schist and granite soils encourage deep root penetration, further contributing to the intensity and minerality that characterise Douro wines. Cockburn’s has been a leading name in the region since its founding in 1815, known for producing Ports that balance opulent fruit with refined structure.

For food pairing, Cockburn’s Special Reserve is a versatile partner. It is particularly enjoyable with strong, hard cheeses like mature Stilton or English Cheddar, dried fruits, or a rich chocolate dessert. For a Portuguese touch, try it alongside a slice of Bolo de Chocolate, or savour with pastéis de nata to contrast the sweetness with the wine’s robust fruit. Its depth also suits spiced game or duck breast with fruit-based sauce.

For optimum enjoyment, serve Cockburn’s Special Reserve slightly cool, at around 16-18°C. Open the bottle shortly before serving to allow its full aromatic profile to emerge. The wine will keep for several weeks after opening if stored in a cool, dark place.