For The Love Of Port

Hello,
I'm very new here and would like some recommendations on LBV Ports, I enjoy a nice glass of port with a fine cigar after dinner and so far I just been stumbling around with various brands and years, are there any brands and years that anyone here would recommend.

2003 was a good year for Port in general, and a lot of people recommend the LBVs from that year, particularly the Taylor. I've not tasted many, but liked the Dow which I found to be in the typical house style. I have tasted a good number of the 2000s, and preferred the Quinta do Portal over Kopke and then Fonseca. Apparently I've also tried 2000 Ferreira and Quinta da Prelada, but I don't remember them, so probably not standouts. The 2004 Quinta do Crasto has shown up on WTSO several times and has been worth the low price.

I agree with Eric - 2003 seems to have been an excellent year for Port in general, including LBVs. The 2003 Taylor, Noval, and Quevedo are all excellent.

You might also be able to find the 1995 Smith Woodhouse, which is nice because of the extra age. I believe that they held it in the lodge until releasing it relatively recently. I'd never seen it before last year, and then it suddenly appeared and was everywhere. I like it a lot, and pick up a bottle whenever I see one. It makes a great cellar defender.

Hi,

I heartily agree with the 2003 being a great yeat for LBV - the best IMHO is the already mentioned Quinta do Noval although the Niepoort LBV is also excellent. Also consider 2000 Warre's LBV(unfilitered) as this in my opinion is a very good lbv almost like a baby vintage Warre's.

Regards

Dom

I have drunk and enjoyed the Graham 2003 LBV (filtered) and the Fonseca 2003 LBV (unfiltered). I have also drunk and enjoyed the Noval 2001 LBV (unfiltered) (NOT Quinta do Noval . . . just Noval LBV). I have also drunk some other LBVs and have yet to be disappointed, so you have some ideas where to start, but if the several specific LBVs identified aren't available, just find another LBV and find out how it tastes.

I have found the unfiltered LBVs, even when young, often throw a sediment, so you may want to decant the unfiltered LBVs.

Hi Raymond;

I've had a lot of LBVs since I'm also a newbie. Here are my recent favs with prices we (my port club) paid:

Niepoort 2005 ($22): cannot find the 2003.
Quinta do Crasto 2004 ($17): Offered through WTSO.com (haven't seen it in a while)
Quinta de LaRosa 2003 ($30):
Warre's 1999 ($28): Not as high marks as the others but we noted "would be great with a cigar"
Dows 2004 ($19): Notably, we did not like the 2003 as much. 2001 also v good but haven't seen it on shelves lately.
Fonseca 2003 ($18)

Warre and Fonseca ranked generally good. Others higher.

I find these are better opened/decanted for a minimum of 4 hours and up to 24 hours. The latest edition of Fonseca Bin 27 (a ruby) is really tasty. Noval Black is also a good choice.

John

hi Raymond,


Lots of sound advice above. My suggestion is to look on the label of the bottle and try to find UNFILTERED or TRADITIONAL on the label. That means they are not filtered and the sediment is still in the bottle and it should be removed when ready to drink. The advantage is that this type of LBV can and will age nicely in the bottle, which is why LBV has gained the moniker, "the poor man's Vintage Port" ... but regardless of that, it is generally better to have this style of LBV with an extended shelf life.

I would not nitpick the year so much with an LBV. Go for the respected brands like Niepoort, Warre, Noval, Ramos Pinto, Ferreira, or Quinta do Crasto. To me, Warre is the LBV and really typifies this style of port for widely distributed brands. Crusted port is also worth looking for. Crusted’s are blend of different vintages bottled in a certain year which gives it its “vintage”. Dow does an excellent job with Crusted, as does Taylor (which can be hard to find).

Hi Raymond,

Others have already given some excellent advice, so I'll just add to the forum, it's great to have you with us.

Thanks everybody Looks like I'll be busy the rest of the summer sampling I let you know my take on your recommendations. Thanks again.

Raymond Z wrote: Thanks everybody Looks like I'll be busy the rest of the summer sampling I let you know my take on your recommendations. Thanks again.

Raymond,
I look forward to hearing what you get and how you liked it. Please do let us know, as any tasting note, however brief, is always welcomed here. And if you have any questions, no matter how "small" you may think it is, please feel free to ask as this group loves to share their collective Port knowledge.