LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT

WINE TALK
1

LBV: the article … is now on line.

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/port/lbv-the-other-vintage-port

2

Thanks, Roy–nice report. This is probably heresy, but for me, the difference between a really good LBV port and vintage port is not that great, so I end up saving myself a lot of money that I can apply elsewhere.

3

Mahalo Roy, enjoyable & informative read. I’ve got some Offley 1990 LBV Traditional but have not opened any. Can you tell me anything about this bottle or Offley in general? MTIA

4

Thanks Roy - that was a good read.

It was a Taylor Fladgate 1994 LBV at a large retail tasting that originally got me and my wife into Port. Today, LBV comprises most of our everyday port drinking, with 10 y/o Tawny a distant 2nd. We’re currently working through a case of Y2K Warre Bottle Matured LBV that’s crazy good for the ~$20/bottle we paid from JJB.

5

Nice notes Roy but next time you do a LBV tasting let me know and I’ll bring the 94 Quinta do Noval unfiltered, which is the best LBV I’ve ever had.

6

John,

With Vintage Ports under twenty years of age, I’d have to agree with you … the value for money of LBV’s is crazy good. But drink a more mature VP, say a 1970 (fill in the name) … and the qualitative disparity becomes exponentially obvious between VP and LBV.

7

Thanks Roy,

An interesting read.

8

Mark,

I’ve never had an older bottling of Offley LBV, but have had Offley Vintage Ports as old as 1908. They were purchased by Sogrape some years back which is good for the Offley Forrester company. JJ Forrester wrote copious documents on Port wine and fought against aguardente being added to it, used as the fortifying spirit. He also was a cartographer who was the first to hand scribe a map of the Douro which is between 9-10 feet in length and seen on a wall in nearly every quinta and Port lodge in Gaia, Porto & the Douro. He also was known for his relationship with Dona Antonia Adelaide Ferreira who owned more quintas (over 2 dz.) than any other person or company in Portugal. In a famous boat ride down the Douro, the boat capsized and he drowned and she survived. Offley today is owned by the same group that owns Ferreira in a weird twist of fate, along with Sandeman. This company is best known for Mateus Rose in addition to their Port holdings. Offley has made some excellent Vintage Ports over the years, but lots of “stinkers” too, that seem to show a minty, high toned profile with too much spirit protruding. In recent years things have improved, fortunately. They have a fine Port lodge and treat visitors quite well. I don’t know how detailed you want me to get, so I’ll stop right there for now. [cheers.gif]

9

Larry,

That’s a great price and Warre’s does a very solid job of LBV too. Wish I had been able to find some at the time I was writing my article.

10

Saxon,

I’ve gone through 3-4 cases of the 1994 Noval LBV and always used to tout this one on that old site. I still have a six pack of them aging in my (off site) cellar. Great juice and right up there with the greatest LBV’s I’ve ever had and for years, the 1994 Noval was my all-time favorite.

11

When the 1984 Smith Woodhouse LBV arrived in our local (small) market, about 4 years ago, it came with some story about being found in a cellar room that had been walled up due to some political upheaval. While I’m not a Portuguese history buff, I studied in Spain and am more familiar with the region than most, and do not recall of any such upheaval. So I was always skeptical.

However, the wines were nice, though I didn’t manage to hold on to any for that long. Any truth to the rumor, or other explanation why I’d see a LBV show up roughly 15 years after release?

12

Nice report on the Late Bottled Vintage Ports, Roy.

This wine consistently remains one of the best quality versus price wines available. Prices are generally somewhere
around the $ 20 mark for wines that give the consumer much more bang for their buck than just about anything else. [highfive.gif]

Hank [cheers.gif]

13

The 97 is the best lbv I ever had. I have never had the 94.

14

Tim,

I am a Portuguese history buff although much more versed from 1600-1975. In 1974, Portugal had their last Revolution, but it ended without bloodshed, just a regime change. In 1986 a different type of revolution took place. The EU started to recognize areas like Vila Nova de Gaia, Oporto and the Douro as World Heritage Sites. Additionally, both Portugal and Spain became members of the EU in 1986 and this was enormous for both countries and their governments, allowing for a major injection of cash to reach their coffers. As to the story you relate, I would think that would have been much more like during the 1974 Revolution when the Port industry was in jeopardy of being taken over by the government and they were in fear of both vineyards and wine stocks being nationalized/confiscated. The 1984 was not released until 1992, due to the fact that SW does not release their wines until they’ve aged in wood four years and had an additional four years aging in bottle. They are the only ones to maintain this specific regimen.

15

Anybody who is fortunate to have read down this far … here’s a real bonus for you.

At Trader Joe’s, they are currently selling the 2005 Dow LBV (Unfiltered) @ $13.99. That is about $6-$10 less than it normally sells for. More importantly it is a FANTASTIC and inexpensive bottling that should be purchased by the case!

16

Thanks for the tip Roy.

17

Hank,

We agree 100%! [cheers.gif]

18

Bob H.,

Unquestionably the 1997 Noval is a brilliant LBV too, but kind of like with Insignia 1994 vs. 1997 the stylistic difference is comparable with the Noval LBV. Having these two side-by-side would be a lot of fun!

19

Had a nice '05 LBV today at lunch (don’t know what it was, the Somm. brought it over), but it sure was tasty…a perfect end to a nice lunch.

20

No Dow at my local TJ’s…the only LBV was 2005 Quarles Harris for $12.99. Alas.