Taylor LBV 2001
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:56 pm
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
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
) 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