What have you opened this week?

[David T.]

First post...

Quinta do Castelinho LBV 1997
Ramos Pinto Lagrima
Ramos Pinto Colheita 1937 (bottled 1973)

[Al B.]

First post...

Quinta do Castelinho LBV 1997
Ramos Pinto Lagrima
Ramos Pinto Colheita 1937 (bottled 1973)

Welcome David.

What did you think of the Lagrima? I've seen it around a few times, but never tried it.

[Andy Velebil]

First post...

Quinta do Castelinho LBV 1997
Ramos Pinto Lagrima
Ramos Pinto Colheita 1937 (bottled 1973)

Hi David,

to How was the Castelinho LBV holding up?

[Glenn E.]

Ramos Pinto Colheita 1937 (bottled 1973)

Nice! And welcome!

[David T.]

Many thanks for the welcome!

I've always enjoyed port, but since inheriting a cellar of Ramos Pinto wines earlier this year I have tried to understand this incredible drink a lot better. I didn't want to dive in at the deep end with vintages, so I have focussed on LBVs to learn more about the styles and tastes. So far so good!

What did you think of the Lagrima? I've seen it around a few times, but never tried it.

Didn't know what to expect when I opened the bottle. Discovered that it is a very sweet dessert wine that is quite pleasant, but I couldn't get much out of it beyond the sweetness.

How was the Castelinho LBV holding up?

I loved it. It was so different from any other wines that I have tasted thus far - really shows how diverse port wine is. There are some very distinct tastes that I just couldn't place so I had to cheat and look up the tasting notes (violets!!).

Ramos Pinto Colheita 1937 (bottled 1973)

Nice! And welcome!

Truth is I only opened a miniature - I have a 2 or 3 cases of RP colheitas, but didn't want to waste a full bottle on my novice palate.

Just opened a bottle of Dow's Crusted Port (2003). Really hit by that dry finish - much more noticable than on the LBVs.

[Eric Menchen]

Just opened a bottle of Dow's Crusted Port (2003). Really hit by that dry finish - much more noticable than on the LBVs.

Let me also welcome you David. That's some nice stuff you've inherited, and it sounds like you're approaching it all in a well thought out and sensible manner. As for Dow's Crusted being dry, I'll suggest that is more of Dow house thing than a crusted vs. LBV. I've not had the 2003 Dow's Crusted, but I have had an very much enjoyed their 2003 LBV, also on the dry end of spectrum for Port.

[Al B.]

Just opened a bottle of Smith Woodhouse 1985. If you have any, my advice is to leave these alone for another 5 years if you can. Still well structured, but a little light bodied and needs some more time to fill out.

[Daniel R.]

Dalva 10 year tawny

[Roy Hersh]

I opened all of these LBV's last night and will spend a few days with this gang:

'04 Quevedo
'04 Qta do Noval
'04 Qta de la Rosa
'05 Niepoort
'05 Dow - surprising an UNfiltered version, yet they used a T-stopper instead of a driven cork. Odd.
'05 Qta do Portal
'05 Taylor - filtered
'05 Poças
'05 Graham - filtered
'05 Qta do Crasto

[Al B.]

'05 Dow - surprising an UNfiltered version, yet they used a T-stopper instead of a driven cork. Odd.

Croft do the same thing - unfiltered LBV sealed with a T-stopper. We asked Adrian about this, and his observation was that although bottled unfiltered, these were not intended to be aged for any great length of time and so the T-stopper should be adequate for the life of the bottle.

[Al B.]

A very cheap bottle of Croft 2005 LBV just to see if it's any good...

[Al B.]

...it was OK.

But not as good as the Graham '83 that was opened yesterday.

[Glenn E.]

Quinta do Portal 20 Year Old Tawny - TN to follow

[Eus Wust]

Quevedo 2005. Tasty as always.

[Derek T.]

'05 Dow - surprising an UNfiltered version

I don't think I have ever seen or heard of an unfiltered Dow LBV apart from the 1961 that we shared at the Crusting Pipe in 2005. Is this a "new" style for Dow?

[Roy Hersh]

1917 Barbeito Sercial Madeira

2004 & 2005 Ramos-Pinto LBV Ports


Derek,

It surprised me too and I had to do a double take; especially with the T-Stopper. : )

[Al B.]

Noval 1994

[Andy Velebil]

1983 Ferreira Quinta do Sexio Vintage Port
1983 Graham's Vintage Port

both last night at a friends birthday, he was an '83 vintage.


Friday night was a Quinta do Noval 40 Year Old Tawny Port.

[Barry Sunderland]

Ferreira 20 years ...Oh, BABY!!

[David Spriggs]

Same here! Ferreira "Duque da Braganca" 20 year old. WOW!