New Tails of The Unexpected range consists of three young, fresh, and vibrant Ports –
Ruby Soho, Tawny Eyes and White Heights – made to be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 6th, 2022 – Symington Family Estates, producers of some of the finest Ports in the world for five generations, has announced its US launch of Cockburn’s Tails of the Unexpected vibrant Ports. Tails of the Unexpected is inspired by Cockburn’s storied past, while pushing the boundaries of Port-making to appeal to a new generation of Port drinkers.
Being “unexpected” is what has kept Cockburn’s at the forefront of the Port trade for more than 200 years. It was one of the first Port houses to plant vineyards in the remote Douro Superior, and it was instrumental in resurrecting the now iconic Touriga Nacional grape variety. Cockburn’s created the first Reserve tier Port, now a standard among all Port houses. The brand also has a long tradition of producing Vintage Port in the most challenging years.
Tails of the Unexpected was born out of a new generation at Cockburn’s that challenged its winemakers to produce a range of Ports, using the highest-grade lots usually reserved for the best wines. The results are Ports that are fresh, lively and can stand on their own regardless of how they are enjoyed–mixed or neat.
Tails of the Unexpected consists of three young and vibrant premium Ports – a Ruby, Tawny and White:
- Inspired by the heyday of the iconic “Port and Lemon,” Ruby Soho is a premium Ruby Port blend using grapes that are typically reserved for the top Cockburn’s Vintage Ports. It is bottled extremely young to preserve its ripe red fruit character and pin sharp acidity. Its signature cocktail, The Port & Lemon, leverages the wine’s freshness to create a well-balanced fruit-driven serve.
- Tawny Eyes is an expressive and vibrant barrel-aged Tawny Port, sourced from the finest casks usually destined for long-term ageing. It is bottled after a few years in oak to achieve a balance between the oak and the fruit. The Tawny & Ginger serve showcases the wine’s honey and walnut notes in an elegant drink.
- Drawn from a small selection of high-altitude vineyards, White Heights is a fragrant high grade, medium dry White Port characterised by remarkable lift and acidity. The wine’s tropical fruit flavours and light honeysuckle notes make for a notably aromatic White Port & Tonic as well as a delicious straight serve.
Each wine features a dynamic world of illustrations on the label, bringing to life the influences, origins and stories that inspired each blend – from the legendary Cockburn’s winemaker John Smithes, to Porto’s iconic trams, and a burlesque dancer from London’s Soho district. The bottles themselves are shaped like a cocktail mixer and are made from 100% recycled glass.
US distribution is focused in select markets (Massachusetts, Illinois and Colorado) beginning in July 2022 with national distribution planned for 2023. The range is line priced, SRP $30/750ml.
Cocktail recipes:
The Port & Lemon
Fill a large collins glass with ice and mix 2/5 Cockburn’s Ruby Soho with 3/5 soda water. Add a dash of lemon juice and sugar syrup to taste and stir. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a glacé cherry. Serve and enjoy.
The Port & Tonic
Fill a large tumbler with ice and mix 1/3 Cockburn’s White Heights with 2/3 tonic water. Stir before garnishing with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint. Serve and enjoy.
The Tawny & Ginger
Fill a rocks glass with ice and mix 1/3 Cockburn’s Tawny Eyes with 2/3 ginger beer. Add a few drops of Angostura Bitters and stir well. Garnish with two blueberries, a raspberry, and a sprig of mint. Serve and enjoy.
ABOUT COCKBURN’S
Founded in 1815, Cockburn’s has been owned by Symington Family Estates since 2010. Following the company’s return to family control after decades of corporate ownership, every aspect of wine production was revised and significant improvements were made to all Cockburn’s Ports. This is reflected in the success of the world-leading Reserve Port, Cockburn’s Special Reserve; in the most prestigious international wine competitions, where all tastings are conducted blind by experts. Since 2010 Special Reserve has earned six silver medals at the International Wine Challenge, four silver medals at the Decanter Awards and four silver medals at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, outperforming all other Reserve Ports.
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ABOUT SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES
The Symingtons of Scottish, English and Portuguese descent have been Port producers in northern Portugal since 1882. For five generations they have combined their passion for producing premium Ports and wines with a deep commitment to the region’s land and people. Today ten Symingtons work across their four famous Port houses – Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s – as well as their Douro wine projects – Quinta do Vesuvio, Quinta do Ataíde, Altano and Prats & Symington (of Chryseia fame) – and a new venture, Quinta da Fonte Souto in the Alto Alentejo.
Symington Family Estates is a leading premium Port producer and the family is the leading vineyard owners in the Douro Valley, with 26 Quintas covering over 6,000 acres and over 2700 acres of vineyard. Their vineyards are managed under sustainable viticulture practices and 320 acres are organically farmed, the largest area of organic vineyards in the Douro. In 2019 Symington Family Estates became the first winery in Portugal to achieve B Corp certification. Symington Family Estates is unique amongst the major Port companies in that each working family member farms their own vineyard, alongside those under the family’s joint company ownership.
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