Novice LBV Port question?

[99call]

Just got back from a fabulous holiday in Porto. After tasting a broad array of different styles from numerous houses, towards the end of my 6 days, I had a few LBVs during a meal at Quinta do Bonfim. 

The LBVs I tried were less viscous, seemed to have much more clarity, intensity, brightness, complexity. It struck me as a beverage somewhere between red wine and older vintage ports. Whilst I enjoyed the whole spectrum of stuff that I tasted over the 6 days, I was really taken with the LBVs. 

My question is thus: Is this difference (in bold above) true across the board with LBVs, or did I just get lucky in the few I tasted in the latter days?

Thanks in advance.

[BrightonCorgi]

Depends on the producer of LBV. Some producers do more fining of the wine than others. There is a difference across the board between different LBVs. I would also recommend ruby reserve ports if considering LBVs.

As for LBVs, my favorite easier to find picks would be from Noval, Ferreira, and Dow.

[99call]

3 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Depends on the producer of LBV. Some producers do more fining of the wine than others. There is a difference across the board between different LBVs. I would also recommend ruby reserve ports if considering LBVs.

As for LBVs, my favorite easier to find picks would be from Noval, Ferreira, and Dow

Many thanks for this.   

I didn't have any 'ruby reserves' but quite a few rubys and found it to be the most one dimensional of all the ports we experienced. Are the 'ruby reserves' very different to the rubys?

Really enjoyed the Dow, that was the revelation point. A beverage that managed to be incredibly dark and full bodied but also brimming with fresh fruit. I've been reading through loads of reviews on my return of a wide range of LBVs and I was looking for anything that range a bell to what I experiences. 

This description of Fonseca LBV 2019 (unfiltered) really hit a chord:

Appealing fresh and intense blackcurrant and cherry aromas with hints of eucalyptus and spice. The palate displays wonderfully luscious, rich black fruit flavour supported by firm but supple tannins. A sumptuous and richly flavoured Port which should have pride of place on any dining table.

 

The Dow that I enjoyed had a really enjoyable combination of that eucalyptus and chocolate, but obviously overlayed by all that juicy heavy dark fruits. It was pretty mind blowing, so much happening in one glass, a real juxtaposition.

 

Can't believe I've somehow missed this for all these years. I enjoy vintage and tawny, but they can be so cloying. The LBV and more complex aged whites were the stuff we were most impressed with. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Port especially when younger should not be cloying at all. I am not fan of Fonseca, Taylor, or Graham's LBVs.  

For Ruby Reserve, consider something like Noval Black, Grahams Six Grapes, or Fonseca Bin 27. I find the Ruby Reserve to be a little smoother with as much or more fresh fruit. They can age just as well as LBVs.

[99call]

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Port especially when younger should not be cloying at all.  I am not fan of Fonseca, Taylor, or Graham's LBVs.  

For Ruby Reserve, consider something like Noval Black, Grahams Six Grapes, or Fonseca Bin 27. I find the Ruby Reserve to be a little smoother with as much or more fresh fruit. They can age just as well as LBVs.

Sorry to clarify. I meant LBVs seemed less viscous and heavy compared to both vintage tawny and older vintage port, and was one of the reasons I found it the be refreshing and interesting.

In reading multiple reviews of 'ruby reservas' it seems like blueberry notes seem to be quite prevalent across the board, Is this something you have noticed?

[99call]

@Ken Gargett do you have any top picks or pointers when it comes to LBV or are you not a fan?

 

[Ken Gargett]

1 hour ago, 99call said:

@Ken Gargett do you have any top picks or pointers when it comes to LBV or are you not a fan?

enjoy them but these days, not sure why, rarely see them. 

the theory was that they were to be VPs for those who could not wait so somewhere between younger tawnies and VPs, but each varies so if you find some tending to red wine, i can understand. 

for me, noval is probably the one which first comes to mind. i agree with BC on dows but i also enjoy taylors and grahams on the occasions i have seen them. neipoort another. quite a few of the Portuguese port producers tend to focus on the style. to be honest, i'd be just as likely to spend money on local Aussie fortifieds as i would LBVs, but happy to drink them. 

[99call]

1 hour ago, Ken Gargett said:

enjoy them but these days, not sure why, rarely see them. 

the theory was that they were to be VPs for those who could not wait so somewhere between younger tawnies and VPs, but each varies so if you find some tending to red wine, i can understand. 

for me, noval is probably the one which first comes to mind. i agree with BC on dows but i also enjoy taylors and grahams on the occasions i have seen them. neipoort another. quite a few of the Portuguese port producers tend to focus on the style. to be honest, i'd be just as likely to spend money on local Aussie fortifieds as i would LBVs, but happy to drink them. 

Many thanks for that Ken.   

Yes I did notice that the few Portuguese LBVs I had sampled had both great level of quality, but seemed to be a bit more unusual and expressive compared to the big UK owned houses. 

It's a shame I was as Noval. But I think we ended up tasting everything but their LBV. Will definitely put it on the list. Cheers.

[BrightonCorgi]

I forgot to mention Warre's LBV; probably the most well regarded LBV. Orange blossom flavors are quite common port.  Niepoort is terrific across the board. In the US is not as widely sold so it often slips my mind. Kopke is another big pick.

If you asked me years ago, I would've said LBV over Ruby Reserve, but not so much today. It's not a clear winner at that price point and style.

[Ken Gargett]

agree with kopke. we see very little ruby here (well, i certainly don't see much) and what i do see would have a divide in prices compared to LBV so it seems as though it varies country to country.