For The Love Of Port

Bottled in 1990, Traditional (Unfiltered)

Opened to celebrate a promotion at work. This appears to be an ex-cellars release as it had a relatively new label, capsule, and Selo. The Capsule also has an printed number on it and I know that wasn't being done in 1990. As you can see from the photo, it was well stored during it's life.

When I decanted off a fair amount of sediment I was amazed at how dark this was for an older LBV. A dark ruby color with some slight bricking at the edges. I've seen many VP's from the 80's with lighter color than this. The nose is still young and offered up some silky smooth plums and cedar. However, after 5 hours of decanting I picked up some slight TCA on it. Not a lot mind you, but there none the less. I was awe struck at how full bodied this was for an LBV. After an intial big does of fresh strawberries, I was smacked in the face with lots of tannins and massive amounts of acidity, followed up by some cranberries. This struck me as resembling a very good mid-term VP, not an LBV. But again, I could get just a hint of TCA on the palate. The solid fruit was still powering over it, but it was just noticeable. The finish just filled the entire mouth with loads of red fruits and acidity and it seemed to go on for minutes. I was amazed at how well this showed for an older LBV, and one that even had a small amount of TCA showing. I'd love to try a perfect bottle of this, as I know this would be in the 92+ point range based on how well this damaged bottle shows.

Andy,
thanks for the great note. I hope the 1999 will go as far as the 1986.
The cork is in a formidable condition.

Michael

Really nice note Andy. Sorry that flaw creeped in later, but it sounds like it was still pretty fun and I'm not surprised by the color as many Smith Woodhouse Ports have incredible extraction. Thanks!

This was the only bottle of this you bought recently?

Michael,
Yeah I've put away a few of the younger unfiltered LBV's from various producers to see how they age 10+ years down the road. It should be interesting to see how they do later in life.

Roy,
Sadly it was the only one I had, but I do have a 1979 Warre's LBV that I aquired this week. I will open it sometime soon to see how that one compares. Even being slightly corked, this was still a good bottle. There was still so much young fruit to it that it was overpowering most of the TCA. As good as the 1984 Smith Woodhouse LBV is, this was much fresher and still a youngster in comparision.

Sounds incredible, and I would expect that much from Warre. I am yet to see LBV's around that old around. Did you buy that at a B&M?

I got it at auction and sadly there was only this one and the one '79

Andy,

If it is not too late, would you please place photos of both bottles, even the empty ... so we have it on record in PORTraits. Thanks!

For others reading here, please do put your bottle shots in PORTraits, as we really want to develop that is the go-to place for bottles and labels of Port on the entire web.

Thanks!

Spending Xmas down in Medicine Hat, I took along a bottle of the `94 Warre`s LBV. It was everything I expected after reading many complimentary TNS!