1999 Quinta do Noval LBV Port

Rui · Post by **Rui** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:12 pm

Hello everyone, this is my first message on this board. I've spent quite some time browsing the information available and am quite astonished!

As anyone tasted the above LBV? I have heard so many good things about the 1997, but sadly I cannot find it where I live. Do you find the 1999 at a similar level?

I am quite new to Porto, but I find it lacks body and complexity. I may be wrong, hence my asking the experts.

Also, how bad is it to use an ISO glass for Porto? It is certainly not ideal, but am I too far off? Some of the Porto glasses I see for sale seem pretty similar to the ISO...

Thanks!

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:48 pm

Not sure about the glass question...I bought a 6-pack of "port" glasses, small guys, and they do me good.

I've tried the 98 Noval LBV and bought a half case of it and of the '99 I liked it so much. Unfortunately I have yet to try the '97 unless I can find it accessible to myself somewhere, so I can't really compare the '98 to anything. What I *can* do, since I was thinking of opening a new bottle of something tonight, is do you a favour and open up one of my '99 bottles and post a TN for you!

Mike.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:38 pm

I did taste the 99 Noval LBV this fall at the Quinta. I was also very impressed by the 96,97 but a bit less by the 98. Right now I found the 99 not ready. Very expressive on the nose, with cassis, floral and licorice flavour. The mouth is powerfull, big tannins, but showing some volatil acidity and somehow green on the finale. I'd give it another 1-2 years in the cellar before acessing a judgement on it, the tannins are so big. Right now it did not give me pleasure for my bucks.

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:10 pm

I opened the bottle and let this breathe for an hour or two after I got home. First glass was an inky purple, like a deep ruby.

There wasn't as much alcohol scent on the nose compared to the 98, but there was some still there. I would expect that to go away after a few more hours (I generally like to decant my lbv's for 6 hours). Very fruity nose, nutty, plummy, with a hint of licorice and flowers...quite pleasant. A blast of fruits on the palate. Juicy and yet very dry. I'm still not sure I can properly identify a tannic wine, but I suspect this is what Fred was referring to. Initial mouthfeel was fairly light and juicy, but then after swallowing it coated like a thick velvet that wouldn't let go. After having tried more older ports, I'd have to agree that this could use a year or two of storage to loosen up. Lots of fruit, hints of chocolate, figs, earthy and red berries. The finish was sumtuously long and spicy, but it was a delayed reaction. At first I thought there was no finish, but then it came on. Kind of like a kick in the nether regions - nothing...nothing...this isn't so -- ow!

While my experience is relatively limited, I'd have to say this had quite a youthful vigour for an LBV.

As much as I liked the 98, I'd have to agree that the 99 is better, and it will continue to improve for a few more years yet. I can't wait for the 2000 LBV's!!

Mike.

Edit: As an afterthought and sidebar, when would it be safe to expect Noval 2000 LBV's to hit shelves? Late 2006 or sometime before the summer? I'm unfamiliar with the bottling timeframes for the year. Thanks!

Alex R · Post by **Alex R** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:35 am

i just grab a couple of bottle of 2000 fonseca LBV at cost plus here in los angeles

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:20 am

Like Fred, I am not a fan of the '98 Noval LBV. The 1994 is still the greatest Noval LBV I have ever had (and maybe LBV of all time), followed by the '97 which is excellent. I also was not that crazy about the '96 but it was better than the '98. 1999 shows well today as long as you are fond of bodacious in your face fruit. It is a very well made wine and might rival the '97 in about two more years.

Rui, please do us a favor and go back and modify your profile to show your last name and city/state/country of residence. This would be most appreciated.

Best regards and welcome to FTLOP!

Roy

NickA · Post by **NickA** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:07 am

For me the '99 is a more obvious style - it's youthfully showing its sprirt (in sweetness) but it's not hot or unbalanced. It will certainly improve but I don't think it has the concentration or structure of the 98, which appears to be closing down a little, but showing excellent reserves of dense, complex fruit. I suspect the profile of the '99 will follow the '98t hough, in that it will actually close down a touch, and become a bit more 'serious', because recalling the '98 on release (I've now drunk over half a case) it also was a little more upfront in a manner not dissimilar to the '99. What I can't find in the '99 currently is quite the same level of concentration or complexity, but it may be deceptive, and its a delicious LBV even so.

Rui · Post by **Rui** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:54 am

Thanks for all the responses.

I understand that my palate needs a lot of Porto education, I too cannot identify a tannic structure. I do agree on the delayed finale that was mentioned, and I feel that the wine lacks in concentration. Furthermore, there is this impression that it is not integrated, some of its parts are not webbed together to produce a unified tune. I guess that, according to your appreciation, this indicates that it needs time. So be it.

I paid GBP 9.95 for the bottle, and the idea of going back and buying 3 more bottles is under consideration. It can be an educative enterprise! I will also follow the wine in the days ahead.

Thanks again, especially to kernnel for his sacrifice of opening a bottle!

Any further comment on the glasses?

PS: Roy, I have entered my full name when I registered, and added my country of residence now. Let me know if all's well.

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:48 am

Portdogg...LBV's I *think* have an ageing window of two years, so releases are staggered amongst the producers. I've got Fonseca, Dow, and Graham's 2000 LBV's but have yet to see any Novals anywhere, even wine-searcher. Then you have Warres that ages them in cask then ages them further in bottle so we only see the '95 right now as their recent release.

Rui, you're welcome! It was my pleasure to sacrifice that bottle in the name of science. Not sure it was much of a "sacrifice"...more like twisting my rubber arm.

Mike.

Rui · Post by **Rui** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:56 pm

The wine is definitely better on day two, and I can clearly detect the tannins and the overwhelming fruit that has been mentioned by some. Quite interesting experience - for me anyway!

Thanks!

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:01 am

Rui

On the topic of glasses, my opinion is that the ISO tasting glasses work quite well for port tasting. I have used these in the past and sometimes still use them today.

However, I don't generally use the ISO glasses as I prefer the shape and feel of the Riedel Vinum port glass and so that is my first choice. You can buy these in most branches of Oddbins and many of the department stores - my last one came from Liberty's - and they cost in the region of £10-15 each.

Alex

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:40 am

I picked up a fairly inexpensive 6-pack of port stems from Total Wine in my area. I can't remember the brand, but they weren't Reidel. I doubt I'd notice any difference between the two. I think they cost me $19.99 or something. The Reidels were a little more expensive for 4.

Mike.