Dow's, 2016

Vintage Port - 1x75cl Bottle

Description and Reviews:


***98 Points- Neal Martin, vinous.com***
The 2016 Dow’s Vintage Port is based around the Vinha dos Ecos vineyard behind Bomfim, populated predominantly by mature Touriga Franca vines that were cropped at just 0.68kg per vine. It has a quite astonishing bouquet with layer upon layer of intense black cherry and cassis fruit, touches of clove, leather and a hint of over-ripe Satsuma. This is a mercurial bouquet that keeps changing in the glass, revealing smoky/burning ember scents with time. The palate is quite magnificent – perfectly balanced with a killer thread of acidity slicing through such pure intense black fruit that there is no heaviness at all. There is a sense of thrust on the finish as it fans out with almost careless abandon, a Vintage Port so self-assured that you can only sit back in amazement. Simply one of the best Dow’s ever made. Drink 2030 - 2086.

***97 Points- Derek Smedley MW***
Wood smoke, tobacco the nose has a fragrant mix the palate has depth the richness of ripe fruits. The mid palate has black fruits, ripe figs and molasses a powerful mix of flavours the layers of fruit of sweetness and richness adding to complexity. Firm but fine tannins there is balance, tension with depth on the back palate the finish has a powerful mix of black fruits yet poise and elegance. Drink: 2035-2085

***19/20 Points- Richard Mayson***
Based on Touriga Franca, followed by Touriga Nacional and Sousão from Quinta do Bomfim at Pinhão and Quinta Senhora da Ribeira in the Douro Superior: fine and focused on the nose, leaner and more restrained in style than either Graham or Quinta do Vesuvio (below) with underlying dusty tannins; rapier like tannins on the palate, ram rod, all the way through with the opulence and flesh of the fruit coming through on the finish. Great purity and expression, the drier style of Dow works well in ripe years like 2016. Outstanding wine for the long term. 5480 cases in total. 19/20