1995 Warre’s LBV Port -- [bottled in 1999]

[Todd Pettinger]

New to my local grocery store’s sister liquor store, is this, the
Warre’s Late Bottled Vintage Port – 1995 [bottled in 1999]
Unfiltered, driven cork. A nice feature of this was a silver foil ‘button’ under the inner plastic cap wrap which indicated “LBV 1995/99.” The cork, when extracted, indicated Warre’s LBV 1995, bottled 1999. I like this “little” thing – if the label were to peel or decay,you’d be able to identify fairly accurately what you were about to open. Only problem is with the use of extremely dark-smoked glass, which would make cork-identification impossible, even with an extremely bright light. Decanted off a very small amount of fine sediment. I have a feeling that this is due to this particular set of bottles just arriving at my local liquor store and not having enough time to recover from their shipping. Two bottles were purchased so as to lay one down for a bit longer term storage.

At first, spirituous in the nose and on the palate. The nose was a bit closed but the palate produced nice medium cherry flavours with plum and tannins in around the mid-palate. Warm alcohol-y burn on the medium-length finish.

Very nice at about 8 hours of decanter time, it took on nuances of raspberries with slight hints of vanilla and all-spice. Some chocolate appeared on the finish. The tannins integrated themselves but provided a good backbone to a solid LBV. Some acidity was present, but not as much as might be needed to carry this particular Port for 15-20 years. The optimal drinking window appeared to be between 7 and 11 hours after opening; after 18 hours the Port became a bit tired with a regressed, closed nose. The fresh fruit was overshadowed by a dusty tone and it was not nearly as good as the first day.

Overall, a solid LBV offering from Warre. While I am not head-over-heals about this one, it is a good example of an unfiltered LBV and based upon the solid tannic structure, should age for between 5 years and a decade nicely. 91 pts.

[Todd Pettinger]

A week later... a 2nd bottle. Similar notes, with a couple of additions/subtractions in the overall picture and a bump in rating.

Warre’s Late Bottled Vintage Port – 1995 [bottled in 1999]
This was so good and a very decent deal at the local liquor store that I went back and picked up another half case of this. Opened one up as it is showing very nicely right at the moment.

Unfiltered, driven cork. Not as spirituous in the early hours as the last bottle I tried of this, but definitely more tannic and disjointed.

After 4 hours of decanter time, it took was great and at 6 hours was perfect. Raspberries and grapes dominate the palate, with some plum, vanilla, and touches of chocolate mixed in on the mid-palate and on the finish. The tannins integrated themselves but provided a good backbone to a solid LBV. A touch of acidity was present but definitely did not distract from the drinking pleasure.

Overall, a solid LBV offering from Warre. Last time I had this Port, I decided I was not head-over-heals, but I think I have changed my mind. This will definitely take its place in my top 5 unfiltered LBVs. I still think that due to the solid tannic structure, this should age for between 5 years and a decade nicely. 92 pts.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Todd, where are you finding this in S Park? Thanks Bob P.

[Todd Pettinger]

The Sobey's Western Cellars actually had this - not sure exactly how much they had - when I went in there was six bottles on the shelf. I bought 3, now there are none :sad:

If I find some more in the city, I will let you know. I'm going to start at the Western Cellars around the East and South sides of town at they are closest. (Seems like the chains get the same wines and can move the stock around amongst stores where it is selling best, which means another couple cases of this should hit the shelves of my Western Cellars any day now! :)

Todd