[wine] LBV Porto

Late Bottled Vintage Port Lynne Char Bennett Sunday, December 6, 2009 Dow's Porto Fonseca Porto Gould Campbell Porto Graham's Port More... The holiday season is a time for indulging in desserts, which includes Port. Vintage port is considered the ultimate, but is expensive and needs lengthy aging and decanting. An affordable alternative is Late Bottled Vintage Port - referred to as LBV - which is made to be enjoyed as soon as it is purchased. The LBV style is a relative newcomer. It is aged in wood casks for four to six years, then typically is filtered or fined before bottling, eliminating the need for decanting. Most LBV is made to drink in its youth when it has offers some characteristics of mature vintage Port. Enjoy LBV Port on its own or with mild cheddar cheeses and soft, less salty blue cheeses. Moderately chocolate-y desserts - especially those made with semisweet chocolate - also pair well with Port. Whether served to guests or received as a gift, Late Bottled Vintage Port can help ring in the holidays. 2003 Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($20): One of several houses within the portfolio of the Symington family. Dow's was one of the first in the 1960s to adopt modern production technology. Dark berry fruit, chocolate mint and mocha truffle with subtle aromas until it opens with some air. An ebullient, rich fruit palate; powerful and balanced. (Importer: Premium Port Wines) 2003 Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($20): Complex nose with brown sugar, lightly spiced fruit and hint of earthy tobacco-like aromas. Wonderfully balanced, fine tannins and less overtly sweet; finishes with smoky edge. (Importer: Kobrand) 2001 Gould Campbell Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($19): Founded in the late 1700s by Garret Gould and acquired by the Symington family in 1970. A lifted floral impression on the nose, then dark chocolate, plum and dusty grapes with mouthfuls of chocolate and ripe fig. Still lively with nice finish, though a touch of heat starts to peek through. (Importer: Ex Cellars) 2003 Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($22): A bottling that is fairly available, even in grocery stores. A serious nose of blueberry, plum, dried cherry, chocolate-covered caramel and hint of black pepper. Tannins on the finish moderate the sweetness. (Importer: Premium Port Wines) 2002 Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($25): Quinta do Crasto's roots go back to the 17th century. This LBV was bottled unfined and unfiltered, so will probably need decanting after some time in the bottle. Milk chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and dried cherry aromas plus a whiff of damp soil. Rich and mouth-filling with slightly chalky tannins on the finish. (Importer: Broadbent Selections) 1995 Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($30): A more traditional-style unfined/unfiltered wine that will require decanting. Ruby with touch of bricking along the edge; more nuanced aromas and flavors. Fig, golden raisin with spiced mocha undertones; offers a long finish and gentle tannins. (Importer: Premium Port Wines) 2003 Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Porto ($23): Recognized as the first house to develop an LBV bottling from its 1965 vintage. Deep and dark, showing some almost yeasty notes and hint of menthol under fresh, very ripe fruit aromas. Chocolate-covered Bing cherry on the straightforward palate with tannins on the finish. (Importer: Kobrand) http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/06/FDBR1AT9ER.DTL -- ------------------------------ * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, mobile : 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *