2005 Dow's LBV Port -- Unfiltered

[Andy Velebil]

No decanting, just pulled the cork and enjoyed a couple glasses over several hours. From the moment I pulled the cork there was plenty of rough brambly black fruit, just enough tannins and minerality to give it some chalkiness, and some mocha on the finish. This put on both weight and structure as time went on and softened just a little. A thoroughly enjoyable bottle, and a very good QPR given the $16 I paid, but one that I'll decant before hand next time I open one.
89 Points

[Roy Hersh]

Andy,

You mentioned having a couple of glasses. Did you finish the bottle later the same night or the next day or after that? It would be interesting to hear how this LBV morphed over time? Curious as to your impressions if you had a chance to follow it?

[Andy Velebil]

Andy,

You mentioned having a couple of glasses. Did you finish the bottle later the same night or the next day or after that? It would be interesting to hear how this LBV morphed over time? Curious as to your impressions if you had a chance to follow it?

There was a little left over for the next day and the rough youthful edges smooth out even more, otherwise it was about the same. It seems a few years in the cellar would be beneficial, but I don't see this aging as well as other unfiltered LBV's in the mid to longer term.

[John M.]

Isn't it odd to find an unfiltered LBV with a T-Stopper?

[Roy Hersh]

Usually you do find a driven cork and not T-stoppers, but the Dow is not the only one to do this with an LBV.


Andy, thanks for your impression of the retaste.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

I am in Calgary this week so going to pick up a bottle. Is the general feeling that the T stopper is going to be a problem if one wants to age?

[Andy Velebil]

I am in Calgary this week so going to pick up a bottle. Is the general feeling that the T stopper is going to be a problem if one wants to age?

I've had old t-cork bottles that have aged over 30 years without any issues. But I also wouldn't normally wouldn't want to push it that long. So I'd say medium term 10-15 years you should be ok.