2018 Fortnum and Mason LBV (Niepoort)
Having successful completed the Christmas shopping, I retreat to the basement of Fortnums in search of fortification. The bar only has two Ports (this and a 10-year-old tawny) but £6 for a 75ml sample of the LBV seems reasonable value and they don't bat an eyelid when I ask for two in a proper wine glass...
Hard to assess the colour in the gloom. Nose is subdued. Little fruit. Cherries, maybe? Perhaps some spice and smoke, too, but fairly indistinct. Mouth is very approachable. Quite soft with few tannins. There is, again, little fruit. Maybe red currants? Gentle acidity. Aftertaste is a little spirity.
Easy drinkable and quaffable but perhaps a little underpowered- I thought Niepoort's LBVs (including the own brand blends) were a bit more powerful than this.
