2004 Croft LBV

[Alex Bridgeman]

Half bottle; bottled in 2009. What a contrast to the depth, richness and complexity of the Dow 1980 finished shortly before this was opened. Deep red, opaque and with bricking on the rim. Pleasant nose of fruit, but slightly sour fruit; attractive. Sour fruit, plenty of it but straightforward and simple. Some restrained tannins give support and there is a fierce level of acidity that cuts through everything. Great finish of licorice root and bitter fruit. This lacks balance and elegance, but still a decent drink and a very rewarding emergency port. 88/100. Drunk 13-Jun-14. Decanted 24 hours.

[djewesbury]

Alex drinks this when he can't bear drinking any more Graham 52 SHT or Noval 1931. The palate can get so jaded.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Or - as said above - an emergency port. When everyone is clamouring for more Noval 1931 you can quickly decant a half of Croft 2004 LBV into the empty Noval 1931 bottle and then pass it round. The result is lots of happy people who manage to get themselves a second glass of the famous and rare Noval 1931.

[djewesbury]

Or - as said above - an emergency port. When everyone is clamouring for more Noval 1931 you can quickly decant a half of Croft 2004 LBV into the empty Noval 1931 bottle and then pass it round. The result is lots of happy people who manage to get themselves a second glass of the famous and rare Noval 1931.

I'm telling!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Shhh! It's our little secret.

[jdaw1]

How does “emergency port” reconcile with “Decanted 24 hours”?

[djewesbury]

One can anticipate an emergency.

[jdaw1]

I am currently at KidSpace in Croydon, anticipating a very similar emergency.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I failed to finish the half bottle at the time of the emergency. The following day some port remained, was drunk and a tasting note written.

[djewesbury]

I am currently at KidSpace in Croydon, anticipating a very similar emergency.

Croydon! As someone who went to school there, even the name induces a shudder in me. Let alone the thought of what 'KidSpace' might be.

[jdaw1]

the thought of what 'KidSpace' might be.

An indoor padded cell, several hundred feet each side, filled with screaming children and overweight parents. None of my children were particularly injured, and they ran and screamed and bounced and climbed with the best of them. They are now asleep, and some of a Graham Crusted bottled 1998 is in me.

I failed to finish the half bottle at the time of the emergency.

Not the gravest of emergencies, then.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I failed to finish the half bottle at the time of the emergency.

Not the gravest of emergencies, then.

The immediate emergency was dealt with and followed rather unexpectedly by a period of deep sleep lasting about 8 hours.