1996 Quinta do Crasto LBV Port

[Glenn E.]

From a batch of LBVs that I tasted over a couple of days in late 2010.

1996 Quinta do Crasto LBV
unfiltered, bottled 2000

Color: Garnet/red. Not opaque.
Nose: Smoke, gunpowder. Some alcohol. Some soft fruits hiding behind everything else.
Palate: Smooth and silky. Fruits are more red than purple. Tannins are very soft and pleasant. Nice, especially if you like brighter flavors in your LBVs.
Finish: Warmth, some lingering red fruits, and soft tannins. Very slight bitter edge that resolves as grape stem.

Score: 90 points. Interesting for an older LBV in that the flavors remain bright, yet the overall feel is still very smooth and integrated.