Taylor Fladgate First Estate Port NV; Cockburn Special Reserve Port NV

The Taylor Fladgate is a vintage character port I have had quite frequently. A deep impenetrable black-purple even at the rim. A hot, rustic nose of stewed fruits. Raisins and cigarettes on the palate. Sweet, but decent acidity to balance it. Previous bottles have been better; this one was ever so slightly cooked. Caveat emptor. Grade: B

And so it was on to the Cockburn. There was a time when this was my regular everyday port; if the California economy continues going south, it may become so again. Much less impenetrable than the Taylor -- medium ruby edging to brick at the edges. Looks (and tastes) much more mature than the Taylor. Jammy nose of chocolate and prunes. Flavor profile ranges from dried red currants to chocolate. Violets(?). Simple but tasty. The finish cloys a bit, with mouth-coating tannins. Grade: B-