Taylor's LBV 2017

Taylor's LBV 2017

Inky dark ruby colour with a fruity and alcoholic nose. The taste was a balance between rich fruity flavours and a marked spiciness. This was a smooth and rich port which was eminently drinkable but lacked character.

Quevedo LBV 2017

Quevedo LBV 2017

Deep ruby colour with a fruity nose. This was a rich and fruity port with delicate tannins allowing the fruit to shine.

Ramos Pinto LBV 2017

Ramos Pinto LBV 2017

Deep ruby colour with a soft fruity nose. This was a full bodied port redolent with plummy fruit flavours and a light tannic bite.

Porto Reccua LBV 2007

Porto Reccua LBV 2007

Deep inky ruby colour with a significant amount of deposit and a fruity nose. Rich plummy fruit flavours combined with a velvety softness but this was marred by aldehyde flavours suggesting that the bottle had been opened for too long.

Croft LBV 2016

Croft LBV 2016

Bright ruby colour with a strikingly fruity nose. This port was soft and fruity but sadly lacking in depth.

Quinta da Pacheca LBV 2012 Bottled in 2016

Quinta da Pacheca LBV 2012 Bottled in 2016

This wine was last tasted at the Quinta in 2016 soon after being bottled. It wasn't half bad then so it will be interesting to see what difference four plus years further ageing in the bottle adds to the experience.

 

There was a deep ruby colour with a touch of plumminess on the nose. Tasting revealed a smooth and fruity wine but without a lot of depth. Whilst it was easy drinking and went down nicely with our chocolate cup cake dessert I can't say that it was particularly outstanding. It's probably at the limit of its development and needs drinking right away if you have any knocking about. 

Quinta do Crasto LBV 2010

Quinta do Crasto LBV 2010

Intense deep ruby colour with full ripe and fruity nose. On tasting this port proved to be superb. Rich plummy fruit flavours combined with a harmonious softness to give a satisfying experience in the mouth. With depth and elegance the experience was not short lived. Just a hint of tanin counteracted the sweetness perfectly.

Vista Alegre LBV 2013 (Bottled 2017)

Vista Alegre LBV 2013 (Bottled 2017)

The colour was an impressively dark inky ruby which was accompanied by an intense nose combining both plummy fruit scents and a hint of oak. Tasting revealed a satisfying richness backed by fat fruity flavours. Tannins were quite noticeable so this unfiltered offering may benefit from a further three or four years in the bottle if you prefer something softer.

Vasques de Carvalho LBV 2013

Vasques de Carvalho LBV 2013

Deep ruby colour with a soft fruity nose. Rich and fruity with marked tannins so I'ld probably leave it in the cellar for another five years. However a delicious and full bodied port.

Dow's 2011 LBV

Dow's 2011 LBV

Intensely deep ruby colour with a fruity and floral nose. This port was full bodied and grapey with good astringent tannins balancing the sweetness.

Marks & Spencer LBV 2011

Marks & Spencers LBV 2011

My wife couldn't resist this magnum in her visit to Hedge End for the January sales last year. Now is the time to enjoy it in the company of my port loving family. The label indicates that Taylor's David Guimaraens was involved in the selection. Deep ruby colour with gloriously fruity nose. The flavour was full bodied rich and fruity with significant tanins moderating the sugars.

Quevedo LBV 2012

Quevedo LBV 2012

Deep but bright ruby colour with a fresh and fruity nose. Tasting revealed a port which exhibited great balance and depth. The sweet grapey fruit flavours were balanced with just the right amount of tanin so that there was a pleasing harmony between the sweet and bitter elements. The fruit was fresh in character but the body was so full that this only enhanced the overall effect.

Pacheca LBV 2013

Pacheca LBV 2013

Deep ruby colour with a plummy nose. Sweet and fruity with quite a lot of green tanins.

Quinta do Tedo LBV 2011

Quinta do Tedo LBV 2011

Deep ruby colour with a subtle grapey nose. Full bodied with significant tanins alongside rich fruit flavours.

Barros LBV 2011

Barros LBV 2011

Deep ruby colour with a light fruit nose. Young tannins were predominating over fruit flavours suggesting that this might have benefited from a little more time before being bottled.

Quinta do Noval LBV 2011

Quinta do Noval LBV 2011

Deep ruby colour with a grapey nose. Sweet and redolent with fresh grape flavours and a complex tannic body.

Kopke LBV 2012

Kopke LBV 2012

Deep inky ruby colour with a fruity nose. Fat plummy mouthful with soft tannins emerging in the aftertaste.

Augusto's LBV 2012

Augusto's LBV 2012

Deep ruby colour with a fresh fruity nose. Sweet and grapey but not a lot of depth.

Quinta dos Corvos LBV 2012

Quinta dos Corvos LBV 2012

Deep ruby colour and fruity nose. This was a good rich fruity port matching full grape flavours with a balancing level of tannin.

Niepoort LBV 2012

Niepoort LBV 2012

Deep ruby colour with a rich fruity nose. The flavour was full and rich redolent with plummy fruit and mild tannins.