Taylor LBV 2001

[Alan C.]

Further to Alex's post, where he saw That Taylors First Estate is being sold cheaply at Costco (UK), I was there this evening and saw that the Taylors LBV 2001 is also selling very cheaply at £7.40.
I bought a bottle and hoped it would be pleasant enough to warrant going back for a further dozen.
At this point you will have to indulge me. I love port. I was hooked as a young man, when one evening in the early 80's, I was requested to assist some senior Diplomatic Officers looking after Lord Derby and some minor member of the Royal Family at his home, Knowsley hall. Around 1am in the morning the Butler appeared with a bottle of whisky and a crusty old bottle of vintage port. The Butler explained that both bottles were incredibly rare and expensive, and once in a lifetime drinks. Lord Derby had asked that the Protection Officers be allowed to finish the bottles, as a thank you for their 24 hour a day vigilance. I have no idea what they were, I was told, but it was just not a priority in my life at the time, to remember. The 2 Colleagues who were much older and experienced than me, grabbed the half bottle of whisky and began to enjoy it. I was tossed the Port, as though as a punishment. It was a shabby old bottle with writing on it. It had a date on it that I think was 30's or 40's, and made me worried it would be well off. Also, as I now look back, surprisingly not decanted. I'd only tasted cheap Pub, or Christmas Port until that stage.
The bottle, which was just under half full. was remarkable. It had an explosion of fruits(dont ask me which) and a smooth fulsome body to it. It was that delicious, it forced me to sip it, and to let it stay on my tongue. The half full bottle, which I thought would be gone in a few large gulps, took an hour or so to drink. That was fine, because my colleagues were doing the same with their whisky. We had to stay there until being relieved at 4 in the morning, and most of that time passed admiring this bottle.
So after that, I always ended a special night out with a glass of port, and it wasn't long before I began buying the stuff for home consumption, on a very basic level. I realised that there was some great stuff out there, but life often got in the way. Whether its nostalgia, or the new uniqueness of that experience, I've never quite matched the wonderment of that bottle.
I dont think I have very cultured tastebuds, and I'm quite happy with a Tawney,LBV, or lesser vintage port. My senses dont do somersaults, but I rarely find ports I cant drink and enjoy. You will see, if your at all interested, that as much as I have enjoyed this forum, and as much as I am learning, and contributed posts, I dont feel confident of expressing opinions on the quality of decent bottles(Tasting notes,etc).
Which brings me back to Taylors LBV 2001. And I am going to make a limited exception. I am nearly half way through this bottle, and will definately drink it all over the next few days.
But what a dissapointment. It has a harsh alcohol taste to it, which fights an over sweetness. Thats as far as my critique goes, and luckily there are thousands of alternatives. But I wont be troubling Costco for the dozen bottles I had been eyeing up,
Alan

[Derek T.]

Alan,

Congratulations on posting your first TN 8)

You should seek out and try the Taylor's LBV 2000 - much more substantial than the 2001 and a real joy when served slightly chilled.

What a great story about you first port experience - it sounds like you had a very special bottle for a first experience. Hopefully we can meet soon and you can try some more great bottles

Derek

[Andy Velebil]

Alan,

About time for your first TN Don't worry about not being good at it, just write down what you taste and feel. THere is no science behind it and everyones tastes are a bit different.

[Al B.]

Alan,

Sometimes, if you're lucky, that overly alcoholic feature can disappear after some extended time open. I'd be very interested to know whether you find the taste to be less hot when you finish the bottle tonight.

Great story for your first introduction to port. I wonder if Lord Derby knows what he did to you with that casual offer for you to finish that bottle?

Alex

[Alex K.]

Al,

Taylor's LBV can be a disappointment in some years. I sometimes find it very harsh just like you suggest. Won't be bothered with the 2001 then, so your TN is effective.

Love the story.

Al

[Alan C.]

Alex,
I did drink most of the second half tonight. It may have reduced its harshness slightly, but the fact I only think it may have and cant be sure, gives you my final verdict.
Its that type of Port you get offered, by the host of the dinner party, who knows nothing about Port, but has made an effort, and you thank them through gritted teeth, and start pondering that its only polite to have a second 'unwanted' glass!
Alan.

[Alex K.]

Al,

Under those extenuating circmstances I tend to use my Father's method of sipping Port. This involves opening the gullet and partaking of the offending article in a vertical manner at approximately 180 degrees from the upright. By positioning the tongue at the lower reaches of the mouth very little noxious substance manages to attach itself to one's tastebuds.

This must always be finished off with a satisfied "Mmmm" to communicate to the host that they made the right choice.

Al

[Alan C.]

Al,
Sound advice.
Although, I would suggest that anyone else who takes it, doesn't experiment with their morning orange juice.
Debbie saw me, and knew I was up to something. My dopey grin, as I struggled to explain caused us both to just burst out laughing!
Al

[Al B.]

Al,
Al,

Port mixed with Orange juice for breakfast in the morning

Thanks goodness Uncle Roy is away. He would be horrified and would instantly shut the forum down.

Thank goodness it was 2001 LBV.

Al

[Derek T.]

Al, Al and Al,

Did none of you ever practice this method with pints of Ale as teenagers?

D (not an Al, but I have some 1963 VP)

[Alex K.]

Of course I did. Is my name not Alex?

[Andy Velebil]

Al, Al, Al, and Al-D

A mere pint....I prefered the "Keg-Stand" when in school.

[Derek T.]

Al, Al, Ale & A,

I did say "pints" - I think my competition record when about 18 (maybe not quite 18 ) was 8 pints downed in one gulp each before the entire gallon returned to the surface :? - port tasting is much more civilised in my experience

Al-D

[Alan C.]

Al, Ale, A and Al-D

This is beginning to get like my Golf Club. At Official Do's you have to start any annoucement or question with...
Captain,Mr President,Lady Captain,members and honoured guests...
Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it puts everyone to sleep before you make a complete ass of yourself.

Did you here of the man who was pulled over by the Police on suspicion of drink/driving.
Cop "Have you been drinking Sir?"
Driver " Oh, Yes Occifer, I've had a bottle of Fonseca 77, a nice bottle of Warres 85, and I couldn't quite finish the full bottle of Nacional 63,hic!"
Cop "Well I'm sorry Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to take a Breath Test."
Driver " Why Occifer, dont you believe me?"

Al

[Alex K.]

Mr President, Mr Chairman, Mr Secretary, Captain my Captain, fellow Als, full-members, associate members, Dereks, Andies, random Policemen who've wandered in off the street, any Als that have not yet joined, anybody with 1963 Port, Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen, Children of the Revolution and everybody else present... drum roll please...

my record for one pint is 5.5 seconds, officially recorded whilst at a caving weekend in the Mendips.

I don't intend to drink a single glass of decent Port that quickly but I will always make an exception for a rubbish one. Much quicker in fact.

Ale-x

[Derek T.]

my record for one pint is 5.5 seconds,

Ale,

If we were 25 years younger I would kick your ass - my record was under 4 seconds - which is less time than it now takes me to get off a chair

Al-D

[Alex K.]

But you're Scottish, so you've had more practice.

Speaking of which - Proclaimers on the Telly.

[Derek T.]

Sunshine on Leith 8)