2008 Sandeman LBV

[Alex Bridgeman]

Bottled in 2012 and sealed with a driven cork. We were told it was bottled unfiltered but gently fined.

Deep magenta in colour, so firmly coloured that a swirl stains the sides of the glass red. Opaque. Blueberry fruit, soft flower perfume and an interesting twist of fresh mint leaves. A little hollow and harsh on entry, but explodes wonderfully in the mid-palate with mid-weight fruit and balanced dry tannins. Dry and perfumed after taste before a long and powerful finish that is over a minute long.

Really rather good! 89/100. Drunk straight after opening, and will be followed over the next 2-3 days.

[Alex Bridgeman]

D+24 hours.

Still an intense magenta in colour. Now with a much more developed nose, full of sour red cherries - really rather attractive. On the palate this brings a reserved entry, hinting a honey sweetness before a grip of tannins holds firm. There is a subdued fruitiness to all of this, but the fruit is sharp and a touch sour. Powerful and punchy, with the acidity dominating the aftertaste before a massive finish takes hold and lasts for absolutely ages. To my taste, this was slightly better last night. 88/100.

[Alex Bridgeman]

D+48 hours.

Still a lovely deep red colour. Full of sharp red cherries on the nose. Lots of red licorice and a pleasant bitterness to the cherry fruit on the palate. The aggressive tannins from yesterday have softened a little and the port has a better balance than experienced before. Aeration releases some attractive aromatics. The aftertaste is dry, the finish long and powerful with a good balance of sour cherry and bitter chocolate tannins.

This is a very good LBV that will repay extended cellaring for up to 5, perhaps 10, years but will I don't think it will ever be a rich and fruity port since it is so full of sour cherry - but it is very tasty and enjoyable and an LBV I would happily buy and drink. 90/100.