LBV questions (Dow's 2011 LBV in particular)

[Andy Velebil]

Eric
We are not the average buyer :) the average buyer is going to go to their local shop, the majority of which aren't going to stock older VP's at killer prices.


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[Eric Menchen]

Eric
We are not the average buyer :) the average buyer is going to go to their local shop, the majority of which aren't going to stock older VP's at killer prices.

True. But four of those retail listings in my previous post came from a local b&m shop. At least two each came from WineLibrary and Cabrini.

[Bert VD]

those are pretty good prices. i've never bought a VP for less than 35€.

[Andy Velebil]

those are pretty good prices. i've never bought a VP for less than 35€.

And not normal either. Once in a great while you can find a good deal at a brick and motor retail store, but those are few and far between.


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[Bradley Bogdan]

those are pretty good prices. i've never bought a VP for less than 35€.

And not normal either. Once in a great while you can find a good deal at a brick and motor retail store, but those are few and far between.

Perhaps you might have an easier time finding wine deals if you weren't shopping at establishments that also sold motors! :-P

As for your list Eric, I'd say a couple things:

1. We tend to hunt for stuff around here, so most of the time, most people that want Port won't have access to sub $30 VP. I'd say most folks with access to a well stocked LWS can find a few good LBVs for $20-$30 (or less for Crasto) and stand a good chance at finding one with a few extra years of age on it.

2. There are a few entries on your list I suspect I'd like better than most LBVs. There are also some things where I'm pretty sure I'd prefer most LBVs instead (such as the Crasto and Passodouro VPs). That would tell me that, overall, discounted VP is at best on par with LBV for QPR.



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[Eric Menchen]

Perhaps you might have an easier time finding wine deals if you weren't shopping at establishments that also sold motors! :-P

Cabrini? Website isn't so useful now, but this is a store in Manhattan: http://www.cabriniwines.com/

There are a few entries on your list I suspect I'd like better than most LBVs. There are also some things where I'm pretty sure I'd prefer most LBVs instead (such as the Crasto and Passodouro VPs). That would tell me that, overall, discounted VP is at best on par with LBV for QPR.

I'll admit you're probably right about the Passodouro. I bought that for completeness for that year, and don't have high expectations. Then again, it was a great year. Crasto does make great LBVs, but someone else posted that in a comparative tasting, the VPs did better, so those Crastos may be a pleasant surprise. I'd be happy to open some of these when you're around so we can better evaluate these suppositions.

[Bradley Bogdan]

Perhaps you might have an easier time finding wine deals if you weren't shopping at establishments that also sold motors! :-P

Cabrini? Website isn't so useful now, but this is a store in Manhattan: http://www.cabriniwines.com/

There are a few entries on your list I suspect I'd like better than most LBVs. There are also some things where I'm pretty sure I'd prefer most LBVs instead (such as the Crasto and Passodouro VPs). That would tell me that, overall, discounted VP is at best on par with LBV for QPR.

I'll admit you're probably right about the Passodouro. I bought that for completeness for that year, and don't have high expectations. Then again, it was a great year. Crasto does make great LBVs, but someone else posted that in a comparative tasting, the VPs did better, so those Crastos may be a pleasant surprise. I'd be happy to open some of these when you're around so we can better evaluate these suppositions.

I'm always game for opening more Port, for scientific purposes, of course!


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[Scheiny S]

i have a basic question.
i just read the article on LBVs from declared or undeclared years. everyone quoted said their goal for LBVs is to make the best Port possible and some explained very well why this has as much to do with the overall quality of the harvest as it does whether a year is declared or not.

what about Reserve Rubies? while LBVs vary from year to year, is the goal for Reserve Rubies to be a consistent product regardless of varying quality of harvests? it was mentioned in this thread that some production methods aim for consistency. the wine for LBVs is kept separate which allows variations from year to year to show in the final product. the wine for Reserve Rubies is mixed with wine from previous harvests, right? that would help it stay consistent?

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/questio ... arch-2007/

[Andy Velebil]

i have a basic question.
i just read the article on LBVs from declared or undeclared years. everyone quoted said their goal for LBVs is to make the best Port possible and some explained very well why this has as much to do with the overall quality of the harvest as it does whether a year is declared or not.

what about Reserve Rubies? while LBVs vary from year to year, is the goal for Reserve Rubies to be a consistent product regardless of varying quality of harvests? it was mentioned in this thread that some production methods aim for consistency. the wine for LBVs is kept separate which allows variations from year to year to show in the final product. the wine for Reserve Rubies is mixed with wine from previous harvests, right? that would help it stay consistent?

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/questio ... arch-2007/

I guess it would depend on the producer so my comments are not applicable to all producers.

While Reserve Rubies are generally a blend of vintages to achieve a consistent house style some can be single vintage. I recall that Quinta Vale D. Maria released a "Lot 06" Reserve Ruby which was in fact his 2006 VP that just didn't cut the mustard to release as a VP in the end. So he came up with the "Lot 06" designation for it. As a Reserve Ruby it was pretty darn good value as you could imagine.

One of the differences for Reserve Rubies can be the use of grapes from lesser grade properties. As you start sliding down the price point per bottle you start getting Ports made with things from lower graded properties (see below for a good overview of the grading system). While for LBV's they're generally using grapes from only A graded properties. It's just economics and what allows them to sell a Port for far less than a VP or an LBV. But again I want to stress this can vary greatly by producer and even each of their individual brands within that parent company.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_cl ... _the_Douro