For The Love Of Port

Was in Burlingame for a meeting this morning, so swung by Weimax on Broadway for a quick perusal. I love that store....it's kind of cluttered, with it's own unique system of organization for the inventory. Kind of like I'm sure a shop would look if I was running it!

Anyway, headed straight to the back corner where the port selection is housed, and ended up having these follow me home:

2xNiepoort LBV '99
1xSmith Woodhouse LBV '94 (my first '94, thought it would be a good start)
1xWarre's Vintage Port '97 (another anniversary port to lay down)

Oh, and while ringing me up, the proprietor asked if I had tried any of Niepoort's dry reds, and we ended up tossing an '04 Vertente into the bag as well. Anyone out there tried this particular Douro dry red? Comments?

Looking forward to cracking the SW sometime this winter. The Niepoort LBV I have had before, and it is a very solid buy at $20.

R

Vertente is the claret like Douro wine from Niepoort. Good acidity, fresh fruit, subtile wood presente and nicely grained tannins. It does age over a 10 years period without problem.

Rich,

I have had the '94 SW LBV and I'm sure you will like it. Nice, solid unfiltered LBV. I found it was best after 10-12 hours of decanting time, but as Roy says, your mileage may vary. Do let us know what you thought of it once it is done. If you want a TN on it, you can find mine here.

Todd

Frederick-

Thanks for the intel on the Vertente. I took a look in the Douro Wine forum, and noticed that you and Andy V had exchanged some notes on other vintages of Vertente, and that, in general, you like it. I figure it'll stand up to some sort of red meat from the grill, so I'll pop it open sometime this week/weekend when get all caveman and fire up the Kamado (ceramic grill.)

Todd-

Obviously, I was too lazy to search around for any TN's on the SW, so thanks for the linky. I'm not sure when I'll pop that one as next up is an '85 Warre's LBV that I figure is well within its execution window. It escaped tonight as I wanted to have a cigar and didn't want to ruin the port with the cigar (hard to taste anything approaching a nuance whilst smoking.....) So, instead I opted for a bit of an in your face Shiraz (Two Hands Gnarly Dudes....pretty good, fruit-bombish Aussie.) :)

I'll pop at least what passes for a TN from me on both of these when I get around to them.

Thanks!

Rich

Doh! Just realized that the Warre's LBV is a '95 (was actually wondering where I got a 22 year old LBV from), and, lo and behold, Todd posted on this very port a week ago. Seems like it is drinking well now, and I look forward to (virtually) comparing notes with Todd on this one!

R

get all caveman and fire up the Kamado

I resemble that remark Rich, must be all the Port we drink

The Vertente has been a favorite QPR of mine for a few years now. I've still got some '01s left and they are aging nicely. I've always found the Vertente's need about 45 minutes to 1-hour decanting before it really pulls together and starts showing well. So if it seems a little slow out of the gate, give it some time.

The Warre's '95 is a solid LBV. I have had many, still have a stash in the cellar, and buy them when ever I get them at a good price. Todd is right on at about 10 hours of decanting for this particular bottling, as that is the amount of decanting that I prefer too.

Thanks for the additional input, Andy. I tend to "go caveman" frequently, and will likely bust out a ribeye this evening for the sole purpose of having an opportunity to try out this new (to me) wine. I'll let you know how both turn out. :)

R