2007 Niepoort LBV Port
Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 9:14 pm
Purchased by the glass at Le Grande Bistro Americain in Kirkland, WA. $9. Of note, listed on the menu as "2007 Niepoort LB Vintage Port" which I found confusing because Quinta do Noval has a ruby called LB. I think they should have either fully abbreviated or fully spelled out LBV.
2007 Niepoort LBV
Color: Appeared to be dark purple, but low restaurant lighting made it difficult to be certain. Probably opaque.
Nose: The bistro was using a chimney-style glass for Port service, which for me typically hides the nose. This example was no exception - other than some alcohol and faint fruitiness, I could smell almost nothing.
Palate: Fruity and off dry. Decent tannins and acidity, but neither were particularly strong. The body weight was medium, but the Port danced around in my mouth like it was much lighter. It had a pleasant, playful feel. Some dark fruits like black currant and blackberry.
Score: 87 points. While pleasing, it's a little lacking in some way. It's not terribly complex. Everything seems well integrated, but the whole seems no greater than the sum of the parts. To reach excellence, the whole should exceed the sum of the parts.
2007 Niepoort LBV
Color: Appeared to be dark purple, but low restaurant lighting made it difficult to be certain. Probably opaque.
Nose: The bistro was using a chimney-style glass for Port service, which for me typically hides the nose. This example was no exception - other than some alcohol and faint fruitiness, I could smell almost nothing.
Palate: Fruity and off dry. Decent tannins and acidity, but neither were particularly strong. The body weight was medium, but the Port danced around in my mouth like it was much lighter. It had a pleasant, playful feel. Some dark fruits like black currant and blackberry.
Score: 87 points. While pleasing, it's a little lacking in some way. It's not terribly complex. Everything seems well integrated, but the whole seems no greater than the sum of the parts. To reach excellence, the whole should exceed the sum of the parts.