Vintageport.se

Est. 2011

Great Vintage Port Tasting

Dow - Vintage Port 1890 to 1997

Due to a Celebration Day in the family, it was decided to have a Great Tasting together with The Wine Society the 18%. The tasting was on the 5h of November and invited was also our German port wine friends. This meant that they could continue to the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen the next day.

The tasting included 24 Dow Vintage Ports from 1890 to 1997, younger Vintages are better saved for the future, and 24 wines was just about perfect for a tasting over two flights. We have in the past tasted Dow’s Vintages such as 1904, 1912, 1946, 1950, 1954 and 1962, which we did no longer have left.

We were 13 participants in the tasting giving points, and all wines were served semi-blind, i.e. everybody knew which Vintages were in each flight, but the order was unknown to all of us.

It was a marvelous tasting indeed!

First flight:
Flight 1

Second flight:
Flight 2 part 1
Flight 2 part 2

Tasting notes. Note that the points are for the actual bottle tasted. Read about how we set point on the page "How to understand our points valuations"

Sort on: Vintage Sten's rank Jörgen's rank Stefan's rank Group's rank

HouseDowVintage1890
ColourYellow, mature with a hint of greenness in the edge.
BouquetSpiciness, herbs, ginger and some old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteStill a lovely body. Mature and peaking with som old, quite round and lovely acidity. Balanced and rather tasty with a quite elegant, quite dry but not so long finish. A decent, lovely old port, still alive and enjoyable.
SAI point16.25JB point17.75SS point17.50Group point15.81
SAI rank16JB rank9SS rank8Group rank23
Comment
HouseDowVintage1920
ColourYellow and mature in colour
BouquetMint, thyme, herd´s grass and other herbs and some spiciness in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking with some quite agreeable old acidity. Still balanced and tasty with a rather attractive and elegant finish. Still a lovely port indeed.
SAI point16.25JB point16.90SS point17.00Group point16.12
SAI rank16JB rank19SS rank12Group rank21
Comment
HouseDowVintage1927
ColourBeautiful, yellow and mature port in colour
BouquetCream candy, chocolate, cacao, roasted coffee, some herbs, spiciness and a lot of other wonderful things in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and peaking. Completely balanced and dry with lots of different tastes which are just rolling in the mouth and retuned again and again. Elegant and very complex finish which never seem to end. What a wonderful port indeed.
SAI point18.25JB point17.40SS point18.40Group point17.23
SAI rank1JB rank15SS rank2Group rank4
Comment
HouseDowVintage1929
ColourYellow, mature and quite bright in colour.
BouquetLeather, herbs, some burned sugar and butterscotch in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and mature with some decent, old and attractive acidity. Still balanced and quite tasty with a quite elegant and rather long finish. A lovely old port, which still is inviting and enjoyable.
SAI point16.00JB point17.25SS point16.40Group point16.23
SAI rank20JB rank17SS rank21Group rank19
Comment
HouseDowVintage1934
ColourMature and yellow, quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetDark chocolate, cacao, nutty, herbs, old grocery shop and lots of other things in the nose.
TasteLovely body. Mature and peaking. Delicious taste of roasted nuts, cacao, chocolate, herbs, old grocery shop and lots of other things. Maybe some sweetness with a long, rolling, attractive and very elegant finish which never seem to end. Wonderful and lovely old port.
SAI point17.90JB point18.75SS point18.25Group point17.23
SAI rank3JB rank1SS rank3Group rank4
Comment
HouseDowVintage1945
ColourMature yellow but quite bright in colour.
BouquetLovely, complex bouquet with Christmas raisin, leather, marzipan, herbs, liquorice and lots of other things in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Liquorice, Christmas raisin, herbs marzipan and much more, in flavour. Surprisingly sweet for Dow. Complex, balanced with a marvellous finish. A great port indeed.
SAI point17.25JB point17.50SS point17.00Group point17.12
SAI rank6JB rank12SS rank12Group rank8
Comment
HouseDowVintage1947
ColourBeautiful, mature and yellow in colour.
BouquetVery complex and generous bouquet of fudge, candy, cacao, dark chocolate, toffee, crème caramel and some herbs in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Delicious, mature and still at its peak. Toffee, candy, cacao, dark chocolate, crème caramel and much more in flavours. Very complex, balanced and generous port with a heavenly finish which never seems to end. What a lovely and attractive port! Just drink it and love it!
SAI point18.00JB point17.90SS point18.75Group point17.92
SAI rank2JB rank9SS rank1Group rank1
Comment
HouseDowVintage1952
ColourMature very yellow and mature but quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetLovely crème caramel, butterscotch and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteVery light body. Mature and a little old in taste but still very easy to drink and enjoy. Elegant and quite complex. An old port still agreeable with a lovely but maybe a little short finish. This port has past its best but is still a quite lovely port
SAI point16.25JB point18.25SS point16.75Group point16.50
SAI rank16JB rank4SS rank16Group rank13
Comment
HouseDowVintage1955
ColourBeautiful yellow and mature in colour.
BouquetRich complex toffee, crème caramel, cream candy, Christmas raisin, vanilla, some herbs, liquorice and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied, complex, dry and delicious. Mature and peaking but balanced with some old and very elegant acidity. Toffee, vanilla crème caramel, cream candy, Christmas raisin, vanilla, some herbs, liquorice and much, much more in taste. An attractive and wonderful finish which never seem to end.. Will not be better but what a port!
SAI point17.50JB point18.00SS point17.90Group point17.85
SAI rank4JB rank5SS rank6Group rank2
Comment
HouseDowVintage1958
ColourVery mature and yellow, quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetToffee, butterscotch, crème caramel, some honey, mint, herbs and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteLovely body. Mature and peaking. Quite dry and maybe a little “tired” but very easy to drink and enjoyable. Elegant and quite complex with a quite long and lovely finish.
SAI point16.40JB point18.00SS point16.50Group point16.38
SAI rank15JB rank5SS rank18Group rank15
Comment
HouseDowVintage1960
ColourVery beautiful, yellow and mature in colour.
BouquetCoffee, cacao, chocolate, lots of different herbs and old grocery shop in the nose. Superb bouquet.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Superb balance and lots of different and lovely things in taste. Dry with a long silky, very attractive and complex finish. What a wonderful port.
SAI point17.25JB point18.40SS point17.75Group point17.23
SAI rank6JB rank4SS rank7Group rank4
Comment
HouseDowVintage1963
ColourYellow mature very beautiful in colour.
BouquetComplex nose of roses, candy, toffee, ginger, cacao, chocolate, roasted coffee, some spiciness and much more in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied with almond paste, candy, cream candy, cacao coffee, chocolate ginger and lots of other things in flavour. Mature and peaking. Elegant and balanced port with a long, complex and very attractive finish which never seem to end. Port is a lovely drink! Just let us continue to drink the 1963s!
SAI point17.40JB point17.75SS point18.00Group point17.77
SAI rank5JB rank9SS rank4Group rank3
Comment
HouseDowVintage1964
ColourYellow and mature, almost tawny in colour.
BouquetChristmas raisin, ginger some spiciness and herbs in the nose.
TasteHardly medium body. Mature and at its peak. Balanced and with a lovely taste. The finish is elegant and rather attractive but a little short.
SAI point16.25JB point17.75SS point16.50Group point16.27
SAI rank16JB rank9SS rank18Group rank18
Comment
HouseDowVintage1966
ColourQuite mature and yellow in colour.
BouquetToffee, fudge, cacao, chocolate, candy, some herbs and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteLovely body. Mature and peaking and will not be better. Burned sugar and toffee in flavour. Dry. Complex and generous with a wonderful finish. Lovely port.
SAI point16.50JB point17.90SS point17.50Group point16.46
SAI rank12JB rank7SS rank8Group rank14
Comment
HouseDowVintage1970
ColourYellow mature and very beautiful in colour.
BouquetLovely complex nose of mature figs, prune, dried fruit, boysenberry, cacao, dark chocolate, some herbs and much more in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and on top. Elegant. Quite dry. Figs, prune, dried fruit, cacao, dark chocolate, some herbs and much more in taste. Balanced and very complex with lovely dry, long and intensive finish.
SAI point17.25JB point17.00SS point18.00Group point16.73
SAI rank6JB rank18SS rank4Group rank9
Comment
HouseDowVintage1972
ColourYellow and mature in colour.
BouquetOld grocery shop, toffee, ginger-bread, menthol, nuts, liquorice, red whortleberry, fudge, some herbs and cacao in the nose. Quite generous.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Very dry but elegance and an attractive flavour of fudge and toffee. Lovely and quite and attractive long finish. Very enjoyable port indeed.
SAI point15.75JB point16.75SS point16.50Group point15.88
SAI rank22JB rank20SS rank18Group rank22
Comment
HouseDowVintage1975
ColourYellow and mature in colour.
BouquetBoysenberry, cacao, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, cream candy, toffee and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking and absolute on top. Toffee, cacao, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans in taste. Quite complex and rather elegant with still an attractive finish. Will not be better so drink it now. Will probably lost its finesse in the future
SAI point15.40JB point17.50SS point15.75Group point16.31
SAI rank23JB rank12SS rank23Group rank17
Comment
HouseDowVintage1977
ColourMature, yellow in colour.
BouquetCacao, coffee beans, toffee, chocolate, vanilla, cream candy, marzipan and old grocery shop in the nose
TasteAlmost full-bodied. Mature and peaking. Will probably not be much better. Toffee, some spiciness, cacao, chocolate and vanilla in flavour. Quite dry but complex and balanced port. The finish is long, elegant and quite attractive. Just drink it and love this port!
SAI point17.00JB point17.40SS point17.25Group point16.58
SAI rank9JB rank15SS rank11Group rank12
Comment
HouseDowVintage1980
ColourStill very dark but with a yellow edge. Astonishing colour.
BouquetSeductive bouquet of cream candy, maybe still some mulberry, ginger, cacao cinnamon, toffee, fudge, herbs and spiciness.
TasteFull-bodied. Complex but still some very soft tannin. Dry. Spiciness and toffee but of course lots of other things also in flavour. Balanced but very elegant and powerful. Still some way left to go. A keeper and will perhaps be better. Easy to drink and enjoy with a lovely, long and delicate finish. An astonishing port indeed!
SAI point16.90JB point17.50SS point16.40Group point16.62
SAI rank11JB rank12SS rank21Group rank11
Comment
HouseDowVintage1983
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetElegant bouquet of cacao, toffee fudge, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger in the nose but also with a hint of volatile acidity.
TasteAlmost full-bodied. Mature and peaking but this time also as usual some volatile acidity. Quite dry, but elegant and still drinkable with a quite long finish with some volatile acidity.
SAI point14.00JB point10.50SS point10.00Group point12.19
SAI rank24JB rank24SS rank24Group rank24
Comment
HouseDowVintage1985
ColourBeautiful, mature and yellow in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet of nuts, burned candy, fudge, cacao, roasted coffee, old grocery shop but also cinnamon, ginger and toffee in the nose.
TasteAlmost full-bodied. Butterscotch, burned candy, old grocery shop, nuts and lots of other things in flavour. Quit complex and elegant. Almost mature and peaking. Very dry. Balance with a very attractive, long and lovely finish.
SAI point16.50JB point16.50SS point16.90Group point16.65
SAI rank12JB rank23SS rank15Group rank10
Comment
HouseDowVintage1991
ColourStill quite dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet with herbs, spiceness, cream candy, toffee, almond, cacao, coffee, liquorice, vanilla and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteFull- bodied. Mature and peaking. Perfect balance, very complex and intensive port with burned candy, toffee, almond, herbs, some spiciness cacao, coffee and the whole grocery shop in taste. The finish is very long, very elegant and lovely. Just drink it and go to heaven.
SAI point17.00JB point18.50SS point17.40Group point17.15
SAI rank9JB rank2SS rank10Group rank7
Comment
HouseDowVintage1994
ColourStill quite dark with a mature yellow edge in colour.
BouquetCacao, cream candy and old grocery shop as well as toffee, dark chocolate, crème caramel, liquorice, ginger and some mint in the nose.
TasteLovely body. Quite mature but still some soft and elegant tannins and will probably be better.. Medium dry with a long, quite attractive and complex finish. Will be interesting to follow.
SAI point16.50JB point16.75SS point17.00Group point16.38
SAI rank12JB rank20SS rank12Group rank15
Comment
HouseDowVintage1997
ColourStill very dark with just a hint of a yellow mature edge in colour.
BouquetCacao, chocolate, roasted coffee beans and some spiciness in the nose.
TasteLovely body. Quite mature but still with some round and quite elegant tannins. Grocery shop and spiciness in flavour. Dry. Balance and quite complex. A long, quite elegant, attractive and lovely finish.
SAI point15.90JB point16.75SS point16.75Group point16.23
SAI rank21JB rank20SS rank16Group rank19
Comment

Last tasted:

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Hutcheson 1960
Quinta do Sibio
Real Vinicola 1960
29th March
Fonseca-Guimaraens 1974
Joven 1974
Quinta de Vargellas
Taylor 1974
21st March
Fonseca-Guimaraens 1995
Quinta do Bomfim
Dow 1995
Quinta do Infantado 1995
Quinta do Noval 1995
Quinta de Terra Feita
Taylor 1995
Quinta de Vargellas
Taylor 1995
Quinta do Vesuvio 1995

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