Niepoort 2019 Late Bottled Vintage Port, sweet, 19.5% vol., Portugal

Niepoort`s LBV matures for four to six years in large wooden barrels. The winemaking and aging methods were chosen to match the selection of wines that make up the LBV: full-bodied red ports from a single vintage. LBV, or Late Bottled Vintage, is a category of port wine that became popular in the 1960s and fills the gap between ruby and vintage ports. Due to the longer aging period, the LBV exhibits a rounder and more mature character-this wine can therefore be enjoyed young, shortly after bottling. The color is rich with a ruby red hue and violet overtones. The nose reveals notes of dark chocolate, complemented by aromas of wild fruits, fresh figs, violets, and spices. In the mouth, it is structured, firm, and with an acidity that distinguishes it from other wines. It begins sweet and finishes almost dry, long, fresh, and spicy. This port is an excellent option to open and drink now, but it could also benefit from cellaring for a few decades, as it is bottled with a cylindrical cork. It`s the perfect partner for chocolate desserts, especially when dark chocolate is used. It also pairs wonderfully with Cheddar, Gouda, and Brie cheeses, as well as aromatic red meat dishes, game, lamb, veal, or pepper steak. 93 Parker points. Bottle available, Item No. 66716.