Warre’s 2008 Bottle-Matured Late Bottle Vintage Port

The Warre’s 2008 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) was matured in wood during four years after which it was bottled in 2012 without any fining or filtering. It was then aged in bottle for another six years in the Warre’s lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia prior to being offered for sale. It is usual for Warre’s LBVs to continue ageing in bottle in the Warre’s lodge for a longer period than required by law, i.e. 4 years in bottle, after four years in wood. This prolonged ageing, first in wood and then in bottle is key to the development of the sumptuous nose and flavours that lend this Port a style and complexity akin to that of Vintage Port. Most LBV Ports produced today are matured exclusively in wood and filtered before bottling and placed on the market without any bottle ageing. Warre’s traditional method of maturation, marrying both wood and bottle ageing, distinguishes it from most other LBVs currently available.

TASTING NOTE Deep-coloured, dark red centre with just a hint of age showing through on the dark red rim. The backbone provided by the large Touriga Nacional component is evident in the fragrant, floral nose of roses and violets. The palate is generous and sumptuous with black fruit and liquorice flavours, balanced by schist tannins and the fresh acidity typical of Warre’s bottle-matured wines, giving them hallmark balance and elegance, as well as structure. This wine may be broached now, although it will repay keeping for up to a further decade.

STORAGE AND SERVING Bottled with a driven cork (as with Vintage Port), the bottle should be stored horizontally and somewhere with a cool, constant temperature. As the wine is unfiltered, it will create a natural deposit and should therefore be decanted before serving. Stand the bottle upright about half an hour before pulling the cork and pour the wine into a decanter until the first traces of sediment appear. This Port accompanies a wide selection of cheeses, such as blue cheese (Stilton, Roquefort, etc) as well as sweet desserts and dark chocolate.

Comes in a presentation Wooden box.