ThePortForum.com

This refers to basic non-vintage rubies, the mass-produced stuff that we all sneer at. I made this specific so that nobody pops up with an impossible boutique ruby that they got from the assistant winemaker's dog at Quinta do Ronaldinho. Sadly, this excludes, the more than pleasant but only available from a tall, ginger bloke in Amsterdam, Quinta do Javali.

I suppose it means that it will be a big name but there should be a good ruby available from your average supermarket.

Anybody naming Cockburn's Special Reserve had better be using irony.

Broadbent Auction Reserve works for me, as do Graham's Six Grapes and Quinta de la Rosa's Finest Reserve.

If you're looking for a non-reserve, then give Quinta de la Rosa's Lote 601 a try.

Six Grapes, I get the point and no problems with getting hold of it.

However, Quinta de la Rosa I don't see around much and I've never seen the Broadbent in the UK at all. Has anybody else as it seems like a nice idea?

Graham's produced a nice little thing with "Graham's Reserve" on the label a few years ago. Sainsbury were punting it out at around £10-12 for a while but it seems to have vanished from the shelves in my local store and is not listed on their website. It had a distinctive green capsule and a neck-tag with a little story about grapes and rivers and hills and wooden barrels. If you see it buy it.

I have enjoyed Fonseca Bin 27 previously but have not had it for around 4 years.

I have only had Graham 6 grapes once, at the lodge in VNG, and liked it. I have to confess that the reason I have never bought one is that I don't like the appearance of the bottle. Sad but true.

The de la Rosa that Glenn mentions is quite nice but I have never seen it in the UK. Nor have I seen Broadbent.

I haven't had it in a while, but I remember the sandeman's founder's ruby to be quite nice.

Berry's stock the Rosa reserve.

BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..

..however, I can't really help on that front - Tesco's own is better than might be feared

Tom

I don’t know the ruby reserves very well for the simple reason that they usually cost about the same as one of the cheap, unfiltered LBVs. Indeed, with supermarket discounts, they are frequently more expensive. Am I missing a trick, though, by being slightly snobby about what I drink? How does something like 6-Grapes compare to the Graham LBV?

uncle tom wrote:BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..

Glenn E. wrote:If you're looking for a non-reserve, then give Quinta de la Rosa's Lote 601 a try.

i shall have to take one for the team and go out now to buy some standard rubbi .. rubies

uncle tom wrote:BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..

I don't think I have ever bought a standard ruby

How does something like 6-Grapes compare to the Graham LBV?

Whilst I don't think I've ever tried the Six Grapes, it is rumoured that when allocating the juice available for different products, the Six Grapes takes precedence over the LBV.

Being unfiltered, the Six Grapes should have good aging potential - is it bottled with a driven cork, or a stopper?

Tom

The one port that got me hooked on drinking port was Niepoort's standard ruby (and their standard tawny btw). Haven't had it for years but it is probably still very enjoyable. For a bit more you can also get the Junior Tinto, although that is more or less on the same price level as a non-filtered LBV.

I currently have a bottle of Cockburn Special Reserve in the house.... it's awful.

I think I need to go and get a bottle of Six Grapes. I've had it before but only as a glass from a hotel or restaurant, which was disappointing. As it has been given the thumbs up by a number of people before I should have another go, this time from a fresh bottle. Graham's LBV has been known to be very good and very bad. I think that the Six Grapes is deliberately more expensive and more consistent.

I'm happy for this to include Reserves, in fact that's what I meant. I remember that the Marks and Sparks ruby in the squat bottle was reasonable and good value. I also remember that it was called "Vintage Character" and the manager at the Reading branch put up a big sign saying "Vintage Port only £5" - oops. I did leave a diplomatic hour before calling Trading Standards.

6-grapes certainly isn't bad. In fact, it makes more sense to buy that than their LBV. If I recall correctly, the Noval LB isn't bad either.

I believe Dow makes a couple of reserves as well? Trademark and Midnight. Anybody knows what the difference is between the two and if they are worth buying?

RonnieRoots wrote:6-grapes certainly isn't bad. In fact, it makes more sense to buy that than their LBV. If I recall correctly, the Noval LB isn't bad either.

I believe Dow makes a couple of reserves as well? Trademark and Midnight. Anybody knows what the difference is between the two and if they are worth buying?

Have tried bit Dows and they are OK but I use them for cooking. This may result in a snifter whilst the Bolognese is cooking. Just checked and the one that I have half a dozen botlles of is Renown which worked out at £4.75 per bottle. It is adequate but not something I would pay the tenner that was claimed as normal price.

Midnight is just dark, that appears to be its USP.

Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.

KillerB wrote: Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.

Noval produce a premium ruby named "Noval LB Finest Reserve" - I have had it a few times and from what I remember it is quite good. I do not know what the LB stands for and the empty half that I have in the cupboard reveals no clues.

DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"

That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.

DRT wrote:

KillerB wrote: Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.

Noval produce a premium ruby named "Noval LB Finest Reserve" - I have had it a few times and from what I remember it is quite good. I do not know what the LB stands for and the empty half that I have in the cupboard reveals no clues.

Maybe it just stands for "Late Bottled" then they realised it wasn't vintage so left it that way

RonnieRoots wrote:

DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"

That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.

Good grief I was right

KillerB wrote:

RonnieRoots wrote:

DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"

That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.

Good grief I was right

Oh no you weren't! LBV is a different product, and I suppose it will be a lot better (have the '01 open now, lovely stuff). LB is just the brand name for their ruby reserve.

KillerB wrote:Midnight is just dark, that appears to be its USP.

The marketing department at Dow's must have been quite pleased with themselves.

RonnieRoots wrote:

KillerB wrote:

RonnieRoots wrote:

DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"

That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.

Good grief I was right

Oh no you weren't! LBV is a different product, and I suppose it will be a lot better (have the '01 open now, lovely stuff). LB is just the brand name for their ruby reserve.

Not that post the later one, it crossed with yours so it's actually after your explanation, but independent:

KillerB wrote:

DRT wrote:

KillerB wrote: Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.

Noval produce a premium ruby named "Noval LB Finest Reserve" - I have had it a few times and from what I remember it is quite good. I do not know what the LB stands for and the empty half that I have in the cupboard reveals no clues.

Maybe it just stands for "Late Bottled" then they realised it wasn't vintage so left it that way

This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.

I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.

DRT wrote:This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.

I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.

I concurrently apologise and thank you.

KillerB wrote:

DRT wrote:This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.

I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.

I concurrently apologise and thank you.

Fear not, it will not go to waste. Tomorrow is my monthly "cook as much chilli and spag bol as you can day"

DRT wrote:

KillerB wrote:

DRT wrote:This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.

I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.

I concurrently apologise and thank you.

Fear not, it will not go to waste. Tomorrow is my monthly "cook as much chilli and spag bol as you can day"

I have about a pound and a half of Top Rump that I am considering macerating for such purposes. Alternatively, it maybe turned into high quality burgers. Please advise.

g-man wrote:i shall have to take one for the team and go out now to buy some standard rubbi .. rubies

If you bring one, I'll bring one...

Edit:
Hmm, what REALLY ought to be done is the following:

2pm: Ruby tasting.
2:30pm: Begin cooking-with-port, where each makes a recipe using ruby.
5:30pm: Eating begins, augmented by a palatable LBV, and concludes with a VP discretely decanted earlier in the day and concealed from the ravings of portheads driven insane by the ruby tasting.

SushiNorth wrote:

g-man wrote:i shall have to take one for the team and go out now to buy some standard rubbi .. rubies

If you bring one, I'll bring one...

Edit:
Hmm, what REALLY ought to be done is the following:

2pm: Ruby tasting.
2:30pm: Begin cooking-with-port, where each makes a recipe using ruby.
5:30pm: Eating begins, augmented by a palatable LBV, and concludes with a VP discretely decanted earlier in the day and concealed from the ravings of portheads driven insane by the ruby tasting.

that sounds like a good idea for a tasting after i'm done from my 4 week sabbatical starting this saturday. (which I shall be incommunicado)

uncle tom wrote:I've seen Derek cooking - last summer he embraced Alex B's stove with a boyish enthusiasm, (while all around were recovering from a hangover..) raising three of the four rings to full flame before getting to work - I'm sure he would have lit the fourth given the slightest excuse..

- how many pounds of mushrooms did we consume..??



Tom

Not that much, I think it was a 6lb box

Can we snip out into a separate thread the conversation about Chill and chips please? The initial thread of easily available standard Ruby is one which might be of interest to folks looking to learn a little about port but who are not yet ready to take the plunge into the mire, like most of us have.

KillerB wrote:Six Grapes, I get the point and no problems with getting hold of it.

However, Quinta de la Rosa I don't see around much and I've never seen the Broadbent in the UK at all. Has anybody else as it seems like a nice idea?

Quinta de la Rosa seems to be popular at Berry Brother's at the moment. I don't recall if the Berry's Own Label ruby port is De La Rosa, but would not be surprised if it was.

Last I heard, Broadbent was looking to offer his wines into the UK and was looking for a UK agent. Anyone interested in volunteering?

My favourite Ruby is Bin 27. I have no idea if this is a basic ruby or a reserve, but I quite enjoy it. I've not tried half the rubies named in this thread so far - something I might try to correct one day, perhaps.

How many notes on rubies do we have in the tasting notes database? Any consensus there as to which we consider to be the best? Any idea whether basic rubies improve with a bot of bottle age? How much bottle age, if they do improve?

AHB wrote:
My favourite Ruby is Bin 27. I have no idea if this is a basic ruby or a reserve, but I quite enjoy it. I've not tried half the rubies named in this thread so far - something I might try to correct one day, perhaps.

This is surprising to me as I've noticed you go for often delicate and smooth ports.

This has always felt like sugar straight up front and definitely not that delicate. And unlike fonseca vp's these definitely do get stuck in the back of the throat. But I haven't had a bottle in 5 years. Perhaps they changed the style a little and it might be time for another go.

Taking Alex's lead and jumping back:

uncle tom wrote:Being unfiltered, the Six Grapes should have good aging potential - is it bottled with a driven cork, or a stopper?

That's interesting; I didn't realise that it was unfiltered. Combined with it taking the best quality must, that would suggest something pretty good.

AHB wrote:How many notes on rubies do we have in the tasting notes database?

We're not doing too badly: 17 tasting notes out of c.1340 are rubies!

* Berry Brothers & Rudd Selection vintage character
* Cockburn Reserve
* Cockburn ruby
* Croft Distinction Reserve
* Croft pink
* Croft Platinum Reserve
* Quinta do Vale Dona Maria Reserve
* Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve
* Fonseca Terra Prima Reserve
* Graham Reserve
* Quinta do Infantado vintage character
* Marks & Spencer BOB pink
* Merchant Vintners Company ruby
* Quinta do Noval Reserve
* Ramos-Pinto Collector Reserve
* Romariz Reserve
* Sandeman Imperial Reserve

g-man wrote:This is surprising to me as I've noticed you go for often delicate and smooth ports.

You're right, I do tend to go for smooth and delicate ports.

Perhaps I should caveat my comment that I like Bin 27 with the context that I have only ever had three bottles of this (which is more than I have had of any other ruby port) and all three bottles had 2-3 years of extra age on them. They were pleasant but distinctly lightweight.

I've never been a fan of Bin 27, it stopped me being interested in Fonseca as VP, until of course I tried some - then I was hooked. Then again, I don't like the Taylor's First Estate Reserve. Actually I don't like many standard Rubies, Reserves, Special Reserve (especially) etc. It's why I wasn't a Port addict earlier and part of the reason for this thread.