Niepoort LBV 2018 Portuguese Port Wine 70 cl 19.5%

Think of it as Vintage Port's more impatient little sister - ready to drink much sooner, yet built with the same craftsmanship and the same grapes from the same year.

Expert's Description

Niepoort LBV 2018 is a Portuguese Late Bottled Vintage Port from the Douro Valley, bottled at 19.5%.

The wine comes from a single vintage, 2018, and is aged in oak casks for several years before bottling - markedly longer than a classic Vintage Port, which spends only a short time in wood. Unlike many other LBVs on the market, Niepoort chooses to bottle theirs unfiltered, giving it more character but also a light sediment over time.

Niepoort was founded in 1842 by the Dutch van der Niepoort family in Vila Nova de Gaia, and the house has since held onto a traditional, hands-on approach to its Ports, even in more accessible categories such as LBV.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Forest fruits, fig and spice, complemented by dark chocolate and a touch of black pepper.

Palate

Full and creamy, with sweet plum, cherry and marzipan, lifted by pepper, chocolate and a faintly bitter herbal note.

Finish

Long and controlled, with soft, inviting tannins that leave a pleasant, warm impression.

Specifications

Name: Niepoort LBV 2018
Winery: Niepoort
Region-Country: Douro, Portugal
Type: Late Bottled Vintage Port
Grape varieties: Traditional Douro field blend
ABV: 19.5%
Size: 70 CL
Ageing: Oak cask, approx. 4-6 years
Vintage: 2018
EAN no.: 5602840036086
Serving suggestion: Serve at 16-18°C in a Port glass, ideally with dark chocolate, blue cheese or a red berry dessert

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Spiced · Berries and chocolate · Approachable

Did You Know?

Many LBV Ports are fined and filtered so they can be poured straight from the bottle without decanting. Niepoort keeps to the unfiltered style, closer to classic Vintage Port, which means the bottle can develop a light sediment over time - a detail that reveals the house's fondness for traditional craftsmanship.

See our full range of Niepoort

Frequently Asked Questions about Niepoort LBV 2018

What does LBV mean?

LBV stands for "Late Bottled Vintage" and denotes a Port from a single vintage that is aged longer in wood than a classic Vintage Port, but is ready to drink sooner as a result.

Should Niepoort LBV 2018 be decanted?

As the bottle is unfiltered, it can develop a light sediment over time. A brief decanting gives a cleaner pour but is not strictly necessary as it is with a young Vintage Port.

What does Niepoort LBV 2018 taste like?

It is full-bodied and spiced, with notes of forest fruit, fig, dark chocolate and a touch of black pepper, finishing with soft tannins.

At what temperature should it be served?

Best around 16-18°C in a Port glass.

What pairs well with Niepoort LBV 2018?

Dark chocolate, blue cheese and desserts with red berries or cherries work particularly well with the wine's spiced, full-bodied style.

How long does an opened bottle keep?

An opened bottle typically keeps for a couple of weeks if stored cool and well-sealed, without losing too much character.

What defines Niepoort as a Port house?

Niepoort is a family-owned house dating from 1842, known for a traditional, hands-on approach even in its more accessible Ports such as the LBV range.