Region: Portugal / Douro Valley Porto

Taylor Fladgate introduced the LBV category in 1970 to satisfy the demand for a high-quality, ready-to-drink alternative to vintage port. The wines used to blend this LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of the best full-bodied red Ports, produced from grapes grown on estate vineyards and high-quality partner vineyards in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior regions. Taylor Fladgate is an area leader in winemaking technology, as one of only three Porto producers to pioneer the development of piston fermenter techniques, called Port Toes, that extract significantly greater flavor and aroma than conventional pump-over fermentation. Fermentation is halted by the addition of grape spirits before all the residual sugar has been fermented, creating a sweet, fortified wine. Unlike vintage Ports (bottled after two years in wood, with further bottle aging), LBVs are bottled after four to six years in wood, giving them some of the characteristics of vintage Porto but with less time required for bottle aging.

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• about the grape +
  • 
    Tinta Amarela

    Tinta Amarela makes wines with intensely perfumed aromas of blackberry and tea, bold structure, deep color and excellent depth.

  • 
    Tinta Barroca

    Used to make Port wines, this high yielding grape has very high sugar content, which makes wines with pronounced floral character, good structure and firm, ripe tannins.

  • 
    Tinta Cão

    This grape has blackberry, game and meaty aromas, and contributes longevity and exceptional elegance to the blend of Port wines.

  • 
    Tinta Roriz

    Tinta Roriz produces deep-colored grapes of moderate acidity which make bold wines with firm tannins, excellent complexity and distinctive resin-like fragrance.

  • 
    Touriga Franca

    This grape has high tannins and is very aromatic; it lends structure and balance to Port wines. It shows intense fresh red fruit, earth and flower aromas, and is very fruity on the palate.

  • 
    Touriga Nacional

    Touriga Nacional produces wine with finesse, body and warmth that is dark, concentrated, massively tannic and aromatic. It ages to show the complex aromas typically found in mature vintage port.