Historically, Cockburn's has been more conservative than other producers in declaring vintages. Therefore, when Cockburn's declares a wine worthy of a vintage designation, the wine must be "great" and not merely "good."1997 was truly an excellent year in the Douro Valley. The harvest was one of the longest in living memory. At the far eastern extremities of Upper Douro, picking began before the end of August and continued until the second week of October in the cooler areas of the Cima and Baixo ...