Did I say that I’d opened the 1996? Sorry about that, it was the 1994. I thought that the litre bottle was the 96 but I was wrong and the litre it is. Opened this up on Saturday night as it was a distinctly chilly day and a glass of port was more than just a little welcome. Had other ideas on Sunday and Monday so it has had a few days to give me a slightly different character.

When it was opened it was ‘closed’ – you know what I mean so don’t start fiddling about with expressions. It had a mild, cherry aroma and good fruit and sweetness in the mouth. Lovely, warm feeling as it descends past the palate enriching the oesophagus and settling pleasantly amongst the gastric juices. So it’s Port then.

Second time of asking and it’s had a good bit of time to develop but it should be able to handle a few days away. Taking the cork out and the aroma hits you with considerably more interest. Still the cherryness but more with the maraschino overtones this time. Soft on the middle of the tongue with a hit of the tannins at the back. Holds fairly long on the finish and that lovely warm feeling as it goes down. The tannin stays with you much longer than the sweetness and the acidity came more to the fore the more that was drunk but it still makes you feel very satisfied when you’ve had it.

Don’t you just love Port on a cold day?

Wine, Women and Song - one out of three ain't bad

Nice notes, KillerB. A liter bottle? Curious size, never seen that before.

It's still cold here, so tonight I'll be drinking a Niepoort '98 LBV. TN to follow!

I just found a litre bottle of DOW LBV 1995 here. Since you've got this LBV 95 collection, Stevie, I thought you might be interested.

I just saw '98 Niepoort LBV here. Talk about quick to the market. I haven't even tried most of the '96 & '97 yet.

I got this one at an Airport Duty Free (hence the size), probably Geneva.

Wine, Women and Song - one out of three ain't bad

I've had it twice and haven't found it closed at all. I thought it was erinking very well right after popping the cork.

Just one more sip.

B-O - I wrote that after trying it later when it was considerably more 'open' - inappropriate use of the term as it was certainly very pleasant the moment I opened it

Wine, Women and Song - one out of three ain't bad

KillerB: I've not seen this at Geneva duty free, are you sure you got it there? Was it is the deli shop that has all the stupendously expensive first growths and other prizes, or the general purpose duty free? I tend to find myself sitting there for at least an hour several times a year, so I thought I knew what was on offer pretty well. Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention to the LBVs.

bman - now certain that I got either this or the 96 from Geneva. Found the 96 yesterday and it is also a litre. It was in the general purpose DF shop. I bought this plus a bottle of Cristal.

Wine, Women and Song - one out of three ain't bad

Thanks. I'll have to look more closely next time.