TN: 1912 Cockburn Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 6 hours - One of the Mitcheltomb & Co unknown bottles purchased at Bonhams in November 2007. Put on substantial colour since decanting, now an orange rim and a mid-red centre. Still significant bottle stink and alcohol and a lot of discussion about whether there was a smell to this wine that is associated with leaking bottles (this bottle had been seeping and is why it was chosen for tonight). After sitting in the glass for a while, tertiary brown sugar smells appeared. Nicely entry with an elegant balance between sweet fruit sugars and structuring acidity. Bitter coffee on the edge of the tongue and caramel / toffee in the centre, changing in the mouth until you reach a lovely Seville orange. A glowing aftertaste that reminded me of the few times I have ended up (accidentally) chewing on Earl Grey tea leaves. 93/100. 93 points