2004 Quarles Harris LBV Port

[Tim Swaback]

Bought this at Trader Joe's for an easy $13 at the same time I bought a few 2007 VPs and a 10yr Tawney from the same producer. I posted a tasting note on the 10yr and I ran into similar things with this LBV.

Initially right out of the bottle everything was overpowered by spirit. I decanted 1/3 of the bottle and left the house for 2.5 hours. When I got back the spirit had subsided some. After 4 hours decanted the spirit was still distracting but left a very drinkable port. I guess I can't say any specifics as no one flavor stood out to me, but that glass was the first that I "enjoyed". I forgot about what was left in the decanter and went to bed. This morning after 14 hours decanted I figured I might as well have the last glass (9AM, DON'T JUDGE ME!). The spirit is almost non-existent now although much of the fruit has also packed up. It is quite good at this point, better than it was after 4 hours, but I think the perfect drinking time would be somewhere in between. I would guess 8 hours decanted to burn off the spirit but keep the fruits and flavors intact. All in all not a bad purchase for $13 and I still have 2/3 left in the bottle/fridge!

[Andy Velebil]

This morning after 14 hours decanted I figured I might as well have the last glass (9AM, DON'T JUDGE ME!).

You've now officially become a Port nerd like the rest of us

I've not had the 2004 yet and I see it everytime I am at TJ's. Other than the spirit, do you think this is a good deal at $13 and would you buy it again?

[Jim R.]

Tim

Port at 9 am is a Good thing. I have not seen this one at my TJ but will keep my eye out. The price is certainly right. Jim

[Tim Swaback]

I would rank it below both the Noval Black and the Noval 2003 LBV, but it is definitely not a chore to drink. For a rock bottom price it is definitely a good buy, at least for a beginner like me. I can't wait to buy and try some of the Quevedo LBV's and see how they compare to the other ones I have tried.

So far I have had these ports, and liked them in this order:

Noval Black
Noval 2003 LBV
Taylor 2003 LBV
Warres Warrior
Quarles Harris 2004 LBV
Fonseca Bin 27
Six Grapes
Quarles Harris 10yr Tawney

On the rack I have:
4x Quinta do Crasto 2004 LBV
3x Noval Black
2x Noval 2003 LBV
2x Quarles Harris VP
1x Taylor 2003 LBV
1x Sandeman 20yr Tawney