Dow's
Dow's Silva e Cosens Lda
Founded | 1798 |
---|---|
Owner | Symington family |
Vineyards | Quinta do Bomfim, Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, Quinta do Sol, Quinta Cerdeira, Quinta Santinho |
Vintage Port Brands | Dow's, Quinta do Bomfim, Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira |
Web-site | www.dows-port.com |
In 1798 a Portuguese merchant called Bruno da Silva arrived in London to see what business he might be able to open up with his native city of Oporto, and so started the wine-importing concern which fifty years later became Silva & Cosens when Mr Bruno's son John Silva joined partnership with William Cosens, also of London. In the early part of the 19th century when England and France were continually at war, Bruno da Silva applied for ‘letters of Marque’, equipped a privateer carrying nine guns, and carried safely many consignments of wines from Oporto to Bristol and London.
In 1868 George A. Warre, from one of the most established British families in Oporto, became a partner and was subsequently joined by James Ramsay Dow in 1877, when the firm of Dow & Co. was merged with Silva & Cosens (the firm of Messrs. Dow & Co was first known in the early part of the eighteenth century as Samuel Weaver and later Weaver & Dow). The name Dow's came in to existence in 1877 when James Dow became a partner in the company Rodrick Dow became a partner in 1893 by which time Silva & Cosens had become one of the largest Port wine shipping houses in Oporto. Messrs. Dow & Co. had long enjoyed a good reputation for the shipment of quality wines, in particular Vintage Port, and so it was about this time that the decision was taken to make Dow the House Brand of the company.
During this period the company started a rapid expansion programme under the dynamic management of the combined firms. This resulted in the planting of the vineyards and the building of the adega at Quinta do Bomfim situated in the heart of the Upper Douro. A. J. Symington was admitted into the partnership in 1912 and was later followed by his three sons who managed the business through the two world wars. They were then joined by their own sons and today the company is managed by the fourth generation of the Symington family.
During the 1960s and 1970s Silva & Cosens continued to be at the forefront of modern progress by being one of the first shippers to install modern autovinification fermenting tanks in their wine making centre at Quinta do Bomfim.
Today Silva & Cosens forms part of the Symington group. The single biggest part being shipped under the Dow's name In 1998, the Bicentenary of the founding of the company, a new milestone was reached with the re-acquisition of Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira. This outstanding property was originally acquired by Dow's in 1890, but was sold in 1954 when the Port trade was at its lowest point and when many Port companies either closed down or were sold.
Dow's wines are made in a drier style which is not to everyone's taste, but have magnificent ageing potential and they do need to be aged in order to appreciate their real potential.
Quinta de Bomfim
The 'jewel in the crown' is the Quinta do Bomfim vineyard (meaning ‘good end’) was purchased in 1896 by George Warre at a time when he thought that a shipper should take a closer interest in the production of Port, a move that was somewhat unconventional at the time. A single quinta wine was launched in 1988 with the 1978 vintage. Quinta do Bomfim Vintage Port is only produced in ‘un-declared’ years, as in Vintage years the wine from this quinta goes to produce the core of Dow’s vintage port. However, during the 1960s and the 1970s Dow had special delivery to Fredrikbergs Vinimport in Denmark of Quinta do Bomfim and thus in Denmark both Quinta do Bomfim and Dow existed from the same vintage in at least following vintages: 1966, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977 and 1980.
Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira
This quinta takes its name from the little chapel between the quinta house and the river, and was originally acquired by Dow's in 1890. By the end of the nineteenth century it was one of a trio of top-quality wine Estates. Dow's was a substantial owner of Douro vineyards long before most Port shippers were involved in viticulture or winemaking. The Quinta was sold in 1954, when the Port trade was at its lowest point – a time when many Port companies were either closed down or sold. But the link was not entirely lost because the Ribeira grapes were bought and vinified by Dow's, continuing to play a fundamental part in its Vintage Ports for most of the century. To the family's great delight, the opportunity to buy back Senhora da Ribeira arose in 1998, Dow's Bicentennial year.
Quinta do Sol
This new state of the art winery was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture, Sr. Eng. Fernando Gomes da Silva on 15th September 1997. The design of the winery was conceived by Peter Symington, his son Charles and António Serôdio.
House | Dow | Vintage | 1890 |
Colour | Yellow, mature with a hint of greenness in the edge. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Spiciness, herbs, ginger and some old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 17.40 - 17.40 |
Taste | Still a lovely body. Mature and peaking with some 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. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.40 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1904 |
Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Lovely generous camphor and pharmacy nose. | Score range | 16.90 - 16.90 |
Taste | Medium body. Very tasty but of course old. However, still drinkable and knit together. Dry, complex and never ending finish. Astonishing old port. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 11th January 1996 | Point this date | 16.90 |
Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1912 |
Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Wonderful chocolate and cacao in the nose. | Score range | 18.75 - 18.75 |
Taste | Surprisingly sweet but with a sign of age and with some alcohol and acidity. Old lovely attractive finish. I just loved that port! | Average score | |
Last tasted | 27th January 1983 | Point this date | 18.75 |
Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark. This port was bottled in 1915. | Tasters | SAI |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1920 |
Colour | Yellow and mature in colour | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Mint, thyme, herd´s grass and other herbs and some spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 16.90 - 16.90 |
Taste | Medium 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. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.90 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1927 |
Colour | Beautiful, yellow and mature port in colour | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Cream candy, chocolate, cacao, roasted coffee, some herbs, spiciness and a lot of other wonderful things in the nose. | Score range | 18.25 - 18.25 |
Taste | Full-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. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 18.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1929 |
Colour | Yellow, mature and quite bright in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Leather, herbs, some burned sugar and butterscotch in the nose. | Score range | 16.40 - 16.40 |
Taste | Medium 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. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.40 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1934 |
Colour | Mature and yellow, quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
Bouquet | Dark chocolate, cacao, nutty, herbs, old grocery shop and lots of other things in the nose. | Score range | 17.25 - 18.25 |
Taste | Lovely 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. | Average score | 17.75 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 18.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1945 |
Colour | Mature yellow but quite bright in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
Bouquet | Lovely, complex bouquet with Christmas raisin, leather, marzipan, herbs, liquorice and lots of other things in the nose. | Score range | 16.75 - 18.75 |
Taste | Full-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. | Average score | 17.69 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1946 |
Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Alcoholic and ether in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 15.25 |
Taste | Medium body. Very dry. Tasty but a bit alcoholic and unbalanced finish. This vintage has passed its best but exciting to have found and drunk it. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 23rd December 2007 | Point this date | 15.25 |
Comment | At home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1947 |
Colour | Beautiful, mature and yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
Bouquet | Very complex and generous bouquet of fudge, candy, cacao, dark chocolate, toffee, crème caramel and some herbs in the nose. | Score range | 17.50 - 18.25 |
Taste | Full-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! | Average score | 17.75 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 18.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1950 |
Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Glorious bouquet, mostly pharmacy and liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.75 |
Taste | Medium body. Mature and maybe old but a delicious port with dry exciting finish. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 24th December 2007 | Point this date | 15.75 |
Comment | At home with the family. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1952 |
Colour | Mature very yellow and mature but quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
Bouquet | Lovely crème caramel, butterscotch and burned sugar in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 16.75 |
Taste | Very 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 passed its best but is still a quite lovely port | Average score | 16.00 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.75 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1954 |
Colour | Beautiful mature amber in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
Bouquet | Complex and lovely bouquet. Toffee, cream candy, crème caramel, coffee and cacao in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 17.00 |
Taste | Medium body. Mature and at its peak. Complex and balanced port but astonishing sweet. Very tasty with crème caramel, cacao and much more in the mouth with a delicious and very attractive finish. Lovely port indeed! | Average score | 16.25 |
Last tasted | 23rd July 2016 | Point this date | 17.00 |
Comment | At home with the family | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1955 |
Colour | Beautiful yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
Bouquet | Rich complex toffee, crème caramel, cream candy, Christmas raisin, vanilla, some herbs, liquorice and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 17.40 - 18.50 |
Taste | Full-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! | Average score | 17.95 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.90 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1958 |
Colour | Very mature and yellow, quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
Bouquet | Toffee, butterscotch, crème caramel, some honey, mint, herbs and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.90 |
Taste | Lovely 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. | Average score | 16.58 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.90 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. 1 bottle has been defect. In 2016 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1960 |
Colour | Very beautiful, yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
Bouquet | Coffee, cacao, chocolate, lots of different herbs and old grocery shop in the nose. Superb bouquet. | Score range | 16.25 - 17.75 |
Taste | Quite 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. | Average score | 16.63 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.75 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. Two bottles have been defect. In 2007 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1962 |
Colour | Mature tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
Bouquet | Alcoholic and ether in the nose. Is not harmonious at all. | Score range | 15.40 - 15.40 |
Taste | Medium body. Mature. Alcoholic and dry. The finish is quite good but this is a too old but rather nice port. | Average score | |
Last tasted | 15th September 2005 | Point this date | 15.40 |
Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1963 |
Colour | Yellow mature very beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 27 |
Bouquet | Complex nose of roses, candy, toffee, ginger, cacao, chocolate, roasted coffee, some spiciness and much more in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 17.90 |
Taste | Full-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! | Average score | 17.13 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.75 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2005 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1964 |
Colour | Yellow and mature, almost tawny in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
Bouquet | Christmas raisin, ginger some spiciness and herbs in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.90 |
Taste | Hardly medium body. Mature and at its peak. Balanced and with a lovely taste. The finish is elegant and rather attractive but a bit short. | Average score | 16.60 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1966 |
Colour | Quite mature and yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 10 |
Bouquet | Toffee, fudge, cacao, chocolate, candy, some herbs and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 17.25 - 18.00 |
Taste | Lovely 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. | Average score | 17.68 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.50 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. 1 bottle has been defect. In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1970 |
Colour | Yellow mature and very beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 28 |
Bouquet | Lovely complex nose of mature figs, prune, dried fruit, boysenberry, cacao, dark chocolate, some herbs and much more in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.40 |
Taste | Full-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 quite intensive finish. | Average score | 16.69 |
Last tasted | 28th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.00 |
Comment | Tasted at home in 15th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. In 2008 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1972 |
Colour | Still medium ruby with yellow and mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 16 |
Bouquet | Old grocery shop, toffee, gingerbread, menthol, nuts, liquorice, roasted coffee, fudge, some herbs and cacao in the nose. Quite generous. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.75 |
Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Very dry but elegant and an attractive flavour of fudge and toffee. Lovely and attractive long finish. Very enjoyable port indeed. | Average score | 16.43 |
Last tasted | 29th December 2023 | Point this date | 16.75 |
Comment | Tasted with the family. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1975 |
Colour | Yellow and mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 16 |
Bouquet | Boysenberry, cacao, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, cream candy, toffee and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 16.50 |
Taste | Medium 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 | Average score | 15.98 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.00 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. 1 bottle has been defect. In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1977 |
Colour | Mature, yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 27 |
Bouquet | Cacao, coffee beans, toffee, chocolate, vanilla, cream candy, marzipan and old grocery shop in the nose | Score range | 15.75 - 17.25 |
Taste | Almost 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! | Average score | 16.51 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. 1 bottle has been defect. In 2010 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1980 |
Colour | Still very dark but with a yellow edge. Astonishing colour. | Number of tastings | 25 |
Bouquet | Seductive bouquet of cream candy, maybe still some mulberry, ginger, cacao cinnamon, toffee, fudge, herbs and spiciness. | Score range | 15.50 - 17.00 |
Taste | Full-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! | Average score | 16.36 |
Last tasted | 28th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.90 |
Comment | Tasted at home in 15th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1983 |
Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 16 |
Bouquet | Elegant bouquet of cacao, toffee fudge, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger in the nose but also with a hint of volatile acidity. | Score range | 14.75 - 16.40 |
Taste | Almost 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. | Average score | 15.63 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 14.75 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. One Magnum and 6 more bottles have been completely defect (Sic). In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1985 |
Colour | Beautiful, mature and yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 18 |
Bouquet | Lovely bouquet of nuts, burned candy, fudge, cacao, roasted coffee, old grocery shop but also cinnamon, ginger and toffee in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.75 |
Taste | Almost full-bodied. Butterscotch, burned candy, old grocery shop, nuts and lots of other things in flavour. Quite complex and elegant. Almost mature and peaking. Very dry. Balance with a very attractive, long and lovely finish. | Average score | 16.26 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.75 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. 1 bottle has been defect. In 2020 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1991 |
Colour | Still quite dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 12 |
Bouquet | Lovely bouquet with herbs, spiciness, cream candy, toffee, almond, cacao, coffee, liquorice, vanilla and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.00 - 17.25 |
Taste | Full- 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. | Average score | 15.84 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 17.25 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1994 |
Colour | Very dark ruby with a garnet edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 14 |
Bouquet | Cacao, cream candy and old grocery shop as well as toffee, dark chocolate, crème caramel, liquorice, ginger and some mint in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 17.75 |
Taste | Full- bodied. Quite mature and peaking but still maybe with some soft and elegant tannins. Will probably improve a little. Medium dry with a long, quite attractive and complex finish. A lovely port indeed. Just drink it and be very happy! | Average score | 16.83 |
Last tasted | 18th May 2024 | Point this date | 17.75 |
Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. In 2024 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 1997 |
Colour | Still very dark with just a hint of a yellow mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 6 |
Bouquet | Cacao, chocolate, roasted coffee beans and some spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.50 |
Taste | Lovely 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. | Average score | 16.19 |
Last tasted | 5th November 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
Comment | Tasted at a Great Tasting with the Wine Society 18% in Malmö, Sweden. In 2023 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 2000 |
Colour | Dark but with a mature yellow edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
Bouquet | Cinnamon, ginger, spiciness, some herbs, liquorice, some butterscotch and dark chocolate in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.75 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Rather mature but still with some very soft and very attractive tannins and will be better. Dry but balanced and complex. Ginger, liquorice spiciness and much more in flavour. A quite long, attractive and very promising finish. Lovely to drink already today but what will be?. | Average score | 16.50 |
Last tasted | 19th September 2024 | Point this date | 16.25 |
Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 2003 |
Colour | Still dark but with a mature, yellow edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
Bouquet | Toffee, cream candy, chocolate, cacao, crème caramel, liquorice and much more in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.50 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Rather mature with lovely tannins and a good backbone. Quite dry but with some nice acidity. Balanced and very tasty and easy to drink and enjoy with a long, very attractive and quite complex finish. | Average score | 16.25 |
Last tasted | 25th April 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
Comment | Tasted at home in 12th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 2007 |
Colour | Still almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
Bouquet | Loaded with fruit, dark berries such as mulberry, dark cherry and blackberry, liquorice and lots of other things such as cacao, dark chocolate and toffee in the nose. | Score range | 17.25 - 18.25 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Enormous fruitiness and loaded with tannins. Immature but balanced with lots of dark berries such as mulberry, dark cherry and blackberry as well as liquorice in flavour. Quite dry. Impressive with a long and very promising finish which is marvellous. What a port! | Average score | 17.75 |
Last tasted | 1st November 2021 | Point this date | 18.25 |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 2011 |
Colour | Still quite black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
Bouquet | Still loaded with dark berries such as mulberries, blackberries, dark cherries, but also cacao, dark chocolate and much more in the nose. | Score range | 18.50 - 18.50 |
Taste | Full-bodied. Massive and muscular port loaded with tannins and dark berries, fruit, cacao, dark chocolate and much more in taste. Balanced and dry with a very long and marvellous finish which never will end. What a Port! | Average score | |
Last tasted | 1st November 2021 | Point this date | 18.50 |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 2016 |
Colour | Violet dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
Bouquet | Lovely bouquet of mint, dark cherry, dark fruit, cinnamon and some other spiciness and cacao with dark chocolate in the nose. | ||
Taste | Full-bodied. Loaded with tannins of course but balanced and delicate. Lovely taste of dark berry, dark fruit, spiciness and cacao and with a complex, seductive, tannic and wonderful finish. | ||
Last tasted | 30th November 2018 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany. Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
House | Dow | Vintage | 2017 |
Colour | Very dark almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
Bouquet | Dark berry such as mulberry, black berry and blue berries but also mature dark fruit, liquorice and spring flowers as well as roses in the nose. | ||
Taste | Full-bodies. Loaded with tannins of course but balanced and delicate with a lovely backbone. Lots of dark berries and mature fruit in taste but also roses and some spiciness. The finish is seductive and wonderful, on the dry side with just a hint of sweetness. Will be exciting to follow. | ||
Last tasted | 29th November 2019 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany. Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |