Warre's LBV "Bottle Matured" 1995

Wine: Warre's LBV "Bottle Matured" 1995

Winery: Symington Family Estates
Appellation: Vinho do Porto (Douro Valley, Portugal)
Varietals: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, and other traditional Douro grapes.
ABV: 20%

Winemaking
Produced only in the best years from a blend of traditional grapes sourced from estates in the Alto Douro. The wine underwent 4 years of aging in oak casks. Unlike most Portuguese LBVs, it was bottled unfiltered and matured for an additional 4 years in the bottle prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Deep, intense violet-cherry color; dense and opaque.

 

Nose: Concentrated on the nose, showing a vinous and slightly chemical touch upon opening. It reveals reminiscences of withered flowers (violets, geranium, dry hay) and an abundance of youthful red fruit, alongside spicy notes, intense toast, and dark chocolate. This is set against a subtle aromatic-mineral background with balsamic sensations (star anise) and hints of mountain herbs.

 

Palate: Silken and elegant; polished, with soft and mature tannins. While it may lack a greater degree of complexity, it is immensely enjoyable for its fruitiness and concentration—displaying cocoa and smoky notes. The finish is excellent, with a balanced acidity seamlessly integrated into the ensemble. An LBV in a magnificent drinking window. Ideal for pairing with hard cheeses such as Stilton, or as a post-dinner companion with a fine cigar.

 

Personal Score: 90
Price: 22 €

Oenological Perspective: The Evolution of Late Bottled Vintage (LBV)

The LBV category emerged after World War II as a response to a decline in demand for traditional Vintage Ports and the subsequent loss of "Vintage" characteristics—strength, youth, and longevity—in wine surpluses. Like a Vintage, these wines originate from a single harvest but are bottled between the fourth and sixth year after the vintage (whereas a Vintage Port is bottled during its second year).

 

Most of these wines are not subjected to stabilization via filtration, a fact often highlighted on the label with terms such as "Unfiltered" or "Traditional," although some brands omit this for marketing reasons. There remains a significant debate within the industry regarding the influence of filtration on the wine’s concentration and its future evolution in the bottle.

 

The "Bottle Matured" Category: The Consumer’s Advantage

Associated with these practices is the "Bottle Matured" category. These Ports follow standard LBV production methods but undergo a minimum of three additional years of bottle aging at the winery before being released. While this adds significant cost to the producer, it allows the consumer to enjoy a Port at its optimal drinking window, offering a profile remarkably similar to that of a middle-aged Vintage Port.

 

This typology represents perhaps the most astute choice for approaching the complex and expensive world of Port wines without sacrificing the quality and complexity of the renowned Vintages.