Best vintages for LBV

[Christopher B.]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody had a take as to which years are best for LBV - years with many declarations as the vintage is good, but then the best wine is usually put in the vintage port, or years without declaration because the best wine could end up in the LBVs or single quintas. Or is it too difficult to come to a general rule for this?

From personal experience, I really like an unfiltered LBV from Noval in 2007 when they declared, but I'm wondering which vintage I should grab next?

[Andy Velebil]

Your question inspired another question about which is the best LBV one has had...between these two lets hope we get a good feel for vintage as a whole and individual bottles.

As for your question, 2003 was quite good for many. I know 2011 is just coming out and I am curious if we will see some top notch LBVs given how small the amount of VP that was made....more simply put, if lots of VP quality juice got sent to the LBV level.

[Christopher B.]

Thanks for your reply Andy.

I guess that is the problem, as I don't have much experience with LBVs. I'd say off the bat, my favourite so far is the Noval 2007 Unfiltered, but then I have tasted so few it isn't very meaningful.

I did taste the 2011 Graham's LBV, but was not struck by it, in particular in comparison to both the Graham's VP which I really like and the Noval 2007 unfiltered LBV. But then my understanding is that Graham's LBV is generally considered "filtered". Anyhow, curious to say what other people have to say and I guess I will simply buy the next few vintages of Noval unfiltered that I find with the goal of comparing declared to undeclared vintages.

[Andy Velebil]

Thanks for your reply Andy.

I guess that is the problem, as I don't have much experience with LBVs. I'd say off the bat, my favourite so far is the Noval 2007 Unfiltered, but then I have tasted so few it isn't very meaningful.

I did taste the 2011 Graham's LBV, but was not struck by it, in particular in comparison to both the Graham's VP which I really like and the Noval 2007 unfiltered LBV. But then my understanding is that Graham's LBV is generally considered "filtered". Anyhow, curious to say what other people have to say and I guess I will simply buy the next few vintages of Noval unfiltered that I find with the goal of comparing declared to undeclared vintages.

Unfiltered ones will generally get you closer in style to a true VP. So their chances of being in the 90+ point range I'd say are much higher than a filtered one.

[Thomas V]

I have tried a lot of the 2011 LBV's and the 2 stand outs for me are the Quevedo and the Niepoort. Both could easily be mistaken for a VT with their "umph", body, fruit and tannins. I would recommend you try both.

The Bulas also won some awards recently: https://www.facebook.com/bulaswines/?fref=nf

The ones I've tried:
Niepoort
Taylor's
Bulas
Vieira de Sousa
Dow's
Quevedo
Kopke
Burmester

[Andy Velebil]

Good to know thanks will keep an eye out for them.

[Moses Botbol]

Shouldn't a good vintage be a good vintage no matter if it's LBV, VP or Colheita?

[John M.]

IMHO LBV vintages are not like VP where there are great years and others. LBV seems influenced by so many other factors of production (was the best juice put into VP, or to be a tawny). Plus some brands seem to really try hard in LBV, others not so much. To me, its a brand first, then I look for favorite years within.

[LOUISSS J]

I already saw an article where Symington and Taylor Fladgate had different argument. One was saying that LBV was better in classic vintage year and the other was saying that LBV was better when the year was not a vintage one (because the best juice goes in LBV).
... i'll check about the article.

[LOUISSS J]

I already saw an article where Symington and Taylor Fladgate had different argument. One was saying that LBV was better in classic vintage year and the other was saying that LBV was better when the year was not a vintage one (because the best juice goes in LBV).
... i'll check about the article.

That's the article i was talking about :
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/questio ... arch-2007/
But after a quick read i think my memory was not too good... anyway with this i think we have good start.

[Andy Velebil]

I already saw an article where Symington and Taylor Fladgate had different argument. One was saying that LBV was better in classic vintage year and the other was saying that LBV was better when the year was not a vintage one (because the best juice goes in LBV).
... i'll check about the article.

That's the article i was talking about :
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/questio ... arch-2007/
But after a quick read i think my memory was not too good... anyway with this i think we have good start.

This is a tough generalization to make as it really depends on the company, what their current focus is, what markets they need to satisfy, what current stocks they have, and what stocks they may need some years down the road.

For the Symington's, Graham's Six Grapes gets their second best grapes after VP, then LBV is third. Someone like Quinta do Crasto is more famous for their LBV's than their VPs. As VP's aren't their main focus. Where someone like Taylor Fladgate Partnership it may be somewhere between.

Generally speaking there is better opportunity for a producer to potentially have better grapes for their LBV in a "classically declared" year simply as the year overall was better and thus they potentially could end up with more top quality grapes then they could use for VP. The same often happens in the dry wine world. Where grapes for a top cuvee aren't all needed so they are what's often refered to as "Declassified" and used in a lesser priced wine.

[Moses Botbol]

For the Symington's, Graham's Six Grapes gets their second best grapes after VP, then LBV is third.

Six Grapes ages quite well actually. If you have the room & patience; storing a few cases of Six Grapes makes a nice inexpensive treat down the road.

[Andy Velebil]

For the Symington's, Graham's Six Grapes gets their second best grapes after VP, then LBV is third.

Six Grapes ages quite well actually. If you have the room & patience; storing a few cases of Six Grapes makes a nice inexpensive treat down the road.

Who has time for that LOL

[Roy Hersh]

I also like 1994 a ton, for the LBVs, obviously not easy to find anymore.

Another solid vintage is 2005 too.

[Glenn E.]

There are some fine LBVs from 2003 as Andy mentioned. Noval and Quevedo immediately come to mind.

[Roy Hersh]

And Taylor's from 2003 too!

[Andy Velebil]

And Taylor's from 2003 too!

Perhaps their best LBV in recent memory?