Unfiltered Ruby: Is it Crusted Port by another name?
Unfiltered Ruby: Is it Crusted Port by another name?
The discussion below developed in this Tasting Note thread and has been split out by Derek T.
I don't think I've ever had an unfiltered Ruby. Are they common in other markets?
Derek
I don't think I've ever had an unfiltered Ruby. Are they common in other markets?
Derek
Last edited by DRT on 22:50 Sat 05 Apr 2008, edited 1 time in total.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Am I right in thinking that this is effectively a Crusted Port with the only difference being that the bottling date is not stated on the label?ADV wrote:Quinta de la Rosa...their basic ruby (Lot 601) is basically unfiltered (they say lightly and it will eventually throw sediment with time) and with a driven cork It has got to be the best ruby I've ever had. Foot trodden from grade "A" grapes, with an average age of 3-4 years.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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The first time I got this bottle, when I took the capsule off and saw the driven cork I had to look at the label to make sure I grabbed the right bottle.
Then I drank it...and looked at the label again just to make sure. For $11 (US) it was a great QPR (no not Queens Park Rangers )
By far the best ruby I've had so far. Its more on line with a basic LBV than a ruby.
Then I drank it...and looked at the label again just to make sure. For $11 (US) it was a great QPR (no not Queens Park Rangers )
By far the best ruby I've had so far. Its more on line with a basic LBV than a ruby.
OK. You dodged the question so I'll explain.
Crusted Port is a blend of wines from different vintages that is bottled unfiltered and has the year of bottling shown on the label. So, is this Unfiltered Ruby stuff just the same as Crusted Port but without the year being revealed?
Derek
Crusted Port is a blend of wines from different vintages that is bottled unfiltered and has the year of bottling shown on the label. So, is this Unfiltered Ruby stuff just the same as Crusted Port but without the year being revealed?
Derek
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Ok, I'm a little bit into a couple bottles so bear with me
yes its an average age of about 3-4 years. but it was really like a lower ranked unfiltered LBV. A crusted, in my opinion, is a bit better than a good unfiltered LBV and a big step up than the Rosa Lot 601. But if I had to by a Grahams Six Grapes or Lot 601...Lot 601 for the price is a better deal.
yes its an average age of about 3-4 years. but it was really like a lower ranked unfiltered LBV. A crusted, in my opinion, is a bit better than a good unfiltered LBV and a big step up than the Rosa Lot 601. But if I had to by a Grahams Six Grapes or Lot 601...Lot 601 for the price is a better deal.
Who mentioned "better"ADV wrote:Ok, I'm a little bit into a couple bottles so bear with me
yes its an average age of about 3-4 years. but it was really like a lower ranked unfiltered LBV. A crusted, in my opinion, is a bit better than a good unfiltered LBV and a big step up than the Rosa Lot 601. But if I had to by a Grahams Six Grapes or Lot 601...Lot 601 for the price is a better deal.
I'm strictly talking recognised styles of Port. Cruz 1989 is a VP as much as Nacional 1931 is. One happens to be better than the other, but some still prefer the Nacional for some reason
Just talking styles and method of production, isn't Unfiltered Ruby the same as Crusted Port?
Derek
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
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- RonnieRoots
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Quinta do Javali also produces an unfiltered Ruby. It is aged in large barrels up to 3 years and it's a blend of a couple of (unidentified) vintages. I think there are a couple of differences between this and crusted:
- Crusted is made from 2-3 vintages, whereas there is no specification for ruby (it is ok to blend in small bits of very young port just to add some body)
- There is not necessarily a date of bottling on the bottle (although some producers might do it)
- The quality of the grapes is usually lower than that used for crusted.
As for the Javali: it has been in the bottle since 2003, and has developed into a lovely, soft port, with a stunning complexity for a ruby. It has also developed an impressive crust.
- Crusted is made from 2-3 vintages, whereas there is no specification for ruby (it is ok to blend in small bits of very young port just to add some body)
- There is not necessarily a date of bottling on the bottle (although some producers might do it)
- The quality of the grapes is usually lower than that used for crusted.
As for the Javali: it has been in the bottle since 2003, and has developed into a lovely, soft port, with a stunning complexity for a ruby. It has also developed an impressive crust.
Is it a rule that Crusted can only have wine from 2 or 3 vintages? If not, and it is simply a wine made from juice from more than one vintage, then from a "style" point of view isn't it just the same as Unfiltered Ruby?RonnieRoots wrote:I think there are a couple of differences between this and crusted:
- Crusted is made from 2-3 vintages, whereas there is no specification for ruby (it is ok to blend in small bits of very young port just to add some body)
This is certainly a difference between what is stated on the labels but has no impact on the wine inside the bottle.RonnieRoots wrote:- There is not necessarily a date of bottling on the bottle (although some producers might do it)
I accept that this is possibly true, but again it doesn't mean it is a different "style" of wine, just a different quality level.RonnieRoots wrote:- The quality of the grapes is usually lower than that used for crusted.
Does anyone know where we can find a definition of each of these styles? I do find it interesting that both examples of Unfiltered Ruby are from Portugues houses whereas Crusted is almost exclusively offered by British shippers.
Derek
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
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As far as I know, there is nor formal definition of a Crusted Port other than that it is port from a mixture of vintages that is intended to mature in the bottle.
I can see no difference between this and the unfiltered ruby other than the blend - Crusted is intended to reward the patience of tucking the bottle away in the cellar for a few years whereas unfiltered ruby is intended to be drunk soon after bottling.
Alex
I can see no difference between this and the unfiltered ruby other than the blend - Crusted is intended to reward the patience of tucking the bottle away in the cellar for a few years whereas unfiltered ruby is intended to be drunk soon after bottling.
Alex
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
- Alex Bridgeman
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Because when you bottle it, there will be very little solid matter in the port. If the blender feels that filtering strips out some of the flavours of the wine, why filter instead of just fining?
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
That must be the same reason why they don't filter VP that is shipped to AmericaAHB wrote:Because when you bottle it, there will be very little solid matter in the port. If the blender feels that filtering strips out some of the flavours of the wine, why filter instead of just fining?
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Agree 100%. Crusted port is a rare bird in USA. I think Dow 1999 is the only one imported officially.ADV wrote: A crusted, in my opinion, is a bit better than a good unfiltered LBV.
I have bunch of the Dow Crusted, and I find it better than any LBV out there. Much richer and full bodied than any LBV I can think off. Very sweet too. I am not a young vintage drinker, but I think this bottle has a lot of aging potential.