Late Bottled Vintage, or LBV, is the most popular premium Port style in both England and Canada, representing one in five purchases of Port in the UK and over a quarter of all Port enjoyed by Canadians.

Vintage Port and LBV both present a selection of very fine full bodied red ports from a single year. The fundamental difference between the two styles lies in the way each is matured. Vintage Port is kept in wood for only twenty months or so before being transferred to the bottle where it will continue to age. 

Late Bottled Vintage, as the name suggests, is bottled later, remaining in wood between four and six years. During this relatively long period of wood ageing, an LBV matures and settles down -  it is ready to drink when bottled, does not need to be decanted and can be served by the glass for several weeks after the cork is drawn.

LBV was developed as a high quality but more affordable and immediately drinkable alternative to Vintage port to be enjoyed by the glass on everyday occasions. It was originally created 41 years ago by Taylor’s current Chairman, Alistair Robertson.

Although many other houses now offer this wonderful style of wine, Taylor’s LBV – the original Late Bottled Vintage – remains the benchmark in the category; the first choice of the knowledgeable Port drinker.

Decanter World Wine Awards, May 2011 – Silver Medal