Dow´s Vintage 2011

Dow's is a port company with over 200 years of history. In 1877, James Ramsey Dow decided to merge his company with Silva & Cosens, the largest company at the time. They adopted the Dow’s brand name for all their ports. Edward da Silva's financial astuteness, James Ramsay Dow's tasting experience and winemaker, George Warre’s driving force, combined to make Dow’s one of the finest port of the day.

Dow's reputation has endured over the years and today the company is part of the Symington group, along with other famous port companies. Five members of the Symington family oversee the Dow’s estates’ vineyards: Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, as well as the vinification and ageing of its ports.

Appearance

Deep cherry red, almost opaque, colour

Nose

Pronounced aromas of plums and cherries in liqueur, and figs mingling with notes of violet and hints of licorice.  Light roasted background.

Palate

Full and concentrated yet very well balanced by the acidity, replaying the fruity aromas found on the nose.  Enormous persistence, superb depth and a slightly tannic aftertaste.

Comment

Dow's uses the best of its harvest (between 2 and 3% of total production) for its vintage ports. The Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Amarela grapes come from two of the property’s finest vineyards, Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta Senhora da Ribeira, situated between 120 and 340 metres above sea level, with stony shale soils.

The port is produced using a "robotic lagar" (an automated treading machine), as well as by traditional treading by foot and maceration in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. With over two years’ ageing in oak barrels, its vintage ports can be enjoyed when young, when full of nerve and power, or else after further bottle ageing, when they have acquired elegance and a more complex character.

Recommended with Cabrales cheese with fig jam.