2000 Graham's LBV Port

[Todd Pettinger]

Included here for discussion. :) This bottle was opened and consumed over 3½ days. Led to a wide variety of tastes. Summarized below so Alan doesn't have to read an hour by hour description.

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage – 2000
Bottled in 2005. Filtered, did not decant. Short, synthetic T-cork.

Very deep, dark purple with deep black-red meniscus. Dark cherries, blackberries, a touch of raspberries. Loads of dark fruit, although perforated by a distinct spirit in the nose.

Thick running tears, nicely structured. The palate is dominated by the cherries and dark fruits, with the alcohol as an afterthought, but makes its presence known. A touch of menthol on the aftertaste, which lingers for a decent amount of time.

This is a stain-the-glass port, very dark, somewhat deep and of medium complexity. Decent body to this wine – one which I would definitely purchase again.

Later developments (after 48 hours)
Some prune flavours, and a touch more mintiness/menthol showed up on the palate. Spirit got a bit evident and then disappeared again after around 60 hours. Decent with more time being opened, but did not improve dramatically. Best for the short term after opening (less than 4-6 hours.)


Todd

[Alex K.]

Well, you've certainly described a Graham's Port. I would probably have named it as such if you'd set it as a quiz. But then again, I'm good at spotting Graham's.

I really do have to give this and the Taylor LBV another go.