Tasting Notes from 'Dow'

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Wine Type	Vintage Name Variety Locale	Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More...
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Xavier Auerbach's profile Report Issue 4/4/2021 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 points Pristine bottle, purchased at auction in 2003. Last tasted in November 2019, when I opined that it should be followed closely, because the tannic structure was melting away fast. Some 18 months later, there is no abrupt development to report, but this bottle does remind us that 1994 Vintage Port was by and large produced with an emerging US market and its preferences in mind. A quarter of a century later, there are clearly recognisable upsides to that approach. The cherry fruit is succulent and pure, there is lovely balancing acidity, and the wine feels youthfully fresh with lots of spicy, minerally energy. It's completely ready, with only a hint of nuttiness, and just a tad simple. Very nice, but for a traditionalist like me, this is not when the case should be finished, this is when the game begins! Over the next 20-30 years, the tertiary development will take place which will elevate a fine Vintage Port to true greatness. To that heavenly state where the great wines from 1963, 1966 and 1970 are today. Will this wine get there? I am not sure, for a very simple reason. The fruit needs protection from oxidation to go through this very gradual process, and we are faced with a fundamental lack of tannins here. Acidity and alcohol are helpful to protect the wine (the wine is sweet for Dow but not very sweet), but essentially we need firm tannins to oxidise before the fruit does. And they're just not there. I will be old and grey in 30 years' time, but I fear that this may wither before I do. I do hope that I will be around to prove myself wrong though. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying, And this same flower that smiles today, Tomorrow will be dying." (Robert Herrick, 1591-1674). 18 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Motz's profile Report Issue 12/4/2019 - Motz wrote: 98 points I can think of no better way to conclude a spectacular tasting with great friends than opening a bottle of this transcendent potion, to my mind the benchmark of mainstream 2011 Vintage Port...alongside the same vintage 2011 Graham's The Stone Terraces, no less! This wine had been decanted for about three hours when I poured it...not nearly long enough. The volume of layered substance it encapsulates bends the mind. Concentrated, seemingly naturally sweetened, blueberry, boysenberry, huckleberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant, lightly sweetened, very dark coco nibs, whole espresso beans, lightly sweetened black molasses, and a suspension Obsidian and Pāhoehoe lava envelope a core of dark chocolate ganache, granite, and mineral ores. Indescribably complex! Poured blind to several experienced tasters, opinions were split as to whether this was the Dow's or the Graham's, which was the more rustic, and which was the prettiest. To me, this was the King, whereas the Graham's showed as a profoundly perfumed, ethereal 'other'. The Queen perhaps, though probably better described as an unequivocally stately, deeply beguiling, consul from afar. Both wines held form on the second day, with this revealing more of its bewildering depth and frame. Sheer delight! My time on earth will pass long before this fades. 98-99! 14 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View cbgilmore's profile Report Issue 12/9/2015 - cbgilmore wrote: 95 points Wanted to try one of 6 bottles with some old friends while all of us are young enough to drink. Double decanted 12 hours prior to drinking. Even so, this wine has a long ways to go. Will wait until at least 2020 before opening another bottle. Hopefully I am still alive when it really matures. Full bodied with lots of tannin and dark fruits. 12 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Motz's profile Report Issue 3/10/2015 - Motz wrote: 98 points Tasted upon opening around midday, with a dinner dessert course after a lengthy decant, and as a nightcap. Deep, opaque purple with blue hues. Very, very young...but oh so enjoyable. The heady, floral, inky, and saline bouquet spills over from the glass. Aside from the perfect sweetness level, this elixir in some ways drinks like an unfortified wine, showing tremendous focus of fruit, structure, earthiness, and minerality. The roundness and texture are essentially indescribable and there is no indication of heat. The wine is grapey but that is a function of youth. As enjoyable as it is now, the wine only hints at its actual richness and depth, which only time will unlock. Powerful substance, acid, and structure make this a wine for the ages. Indeed, in fifty years it may still be young. Elated to have had the experience of tasting this, and even more so to own a bottle! If rating for right now, 97, but a score of 98+ seems probable with time. Utterly delightful, pure pleasure! 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View wineotim's profile Report Issue 3/11/2021 - wineotim wrote: 95 points It's been almost 7 years since my last bottle review of this wine. My how it has changed, really showing complexity now with fig, raisin, and mild spice notes. Gone is the brilliant violet rim, replaced with ruby red to slight tinge of bricking. Very smooth and balanced. Remarkable how well the alcohol is integrated. 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View tomandlu's profile Report Issue 4/13/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 96 points The cork was dry at the top and fell into the bottle when I tried to remove with an osso. It was clearly sound, though. Decanted the wine and started poured a glass immediately. The nose was soaring, complex, and intense from the first whiff with aromas of mint, eucalyptus, cranberries, tobacco, Asian spices, figs, and hot iron. Wow. I expected a free-for-all on the palate but instead I got a beautifully balanced, even graceful, intense, rich, fruity, and elegant palate impression. Wow, again. The finish was long, at least 45 seconds, with more iron and fruit and just a hint of fine tannin remaining. These impressions staid pretty much unchanged for 2+ hours of drinking. What really struck me in the end, though, was that the alcohol was never a feature. I've had more powerful, more complex, and more intense ports in the past but I've rarely had one that balanced all of those traits so gracefully. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Motz's profile Report Issue 5/22/2019 - Motz wrote: 98 points Decanted for a few hours. By all measurable standards, a pure and beautiful wine. Truly seamless; at once taut, precise, and expansive. It pairs with many foods, including dark chocolate, which zeros out the sweetness, allowing it to show like a world class dry wine. More composed, as opposed to massive, than in March 2015, although not a hint of bricking. It will last forever, and then some. 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View MS86's profile Report Issue 1/28/2021 - MS86 Likes this wine: 93 points 1994 was called the best vintage since 1927 with a textbook weather pattern and bottles that should not to be opened for 25-30 years. We're now in the heart of that drinking window. Deep ruby with minimal bricking at the rim. Nose is austere and slightly oxidized with strawberry, cherry, oak and wood notes. This port is still tannic with a big body and lots of structure. Viscous, dense and beautifully integrated alcohol. Rich flavours of strawberry and candied plum. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Motz's profile Report Issue 3/14/2015 - Motz wrote: 98 points I had the good fortune of retasting this elixir--the remaining portion of two 10-hour-long decanted bottles, subsequently repoured into one of the bottles and recorked, non-refrigerated--four days (about 100 hours) after they were first opened. It had shed some of its baby fat and showed prominent dry wine qualities, including minerals, tobacco, ash, and Douro terroir. Overall, while grapey, the wine featured a liquified, candied mineral-terroir element all but impossible to describe. Incredibly dense, rich, and pure. Drink through 2060. 97-99. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View beezer6's profile Report Issue 10/2/2014 - beezer6 wrote: 96 points Dow's Port Tasting with Symington Family Estates (Naha - Chicago, IL): Stellar stuff. So young. Nose is subtle now. Light stewed red fruit, roast nuts and light molasses. Minerals, light sweetness. Menthol, pine, anise and fig. Really real pretty. Sweet toffee on the back end. Outstanding and I can't wait to revisit from the cellar. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View East of Napa's profile Report Issue 5/19/2020 - East of Napa wrote: 98 points First taste of this spectacular port. Opened with some port aficionados and they did not want me to open it. Should wait several more years. No way, had to taste. Did not really let it decant for more than a half hour which is not really fair. It was exceptional! Maybe the best port I ever tasted. Have two bottles left and will wait for many years to open next one. Should only get better. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View La Cave d'Argent's profile Report Issue 10/24/2015 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 97 points 2015 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/19/2015-10/27/2015 (New York City, NY): This opaque, inky black wine explodes with blackberry, boysenberry, mineral, fig, tar, anise and maraschino cherry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, sinewy, quite sweet and with massive mouth-coating tannins, it stays youthfully delicious from start to lengthy finish. What a delight to taste a wine such as this, which is good now but nowhere near its future greatness. Cellar this one for your kids. Drink 2035-2065. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View mdefreitas's profile Report Issue 9/2/2016 - mdefreitas wrote: 96 points This is a monster that demands cellaring, but is by no means undrinkable if you wish to enjoy the primary blast of fruit and cocoa notes. A bit of alcohol was noticeable when first opened, but is was a crystal-clean, pure and smooth spirit. So much flavor and palate-staining weight here. Very enjoyable after about 10 hours in the decanter, and still going strong after 3 days. Very primary at the moment, but a lot of potential here. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View DarinC's profile Report Issue 12/30/2013 - DarinC Likes this wine: 96 points Glorious nose almost more reminiscent of a late harvest cabernet than a port. Some cassis, tobacco, black cherry, incense. Gorgeous palate with waves of sumptuous black fruit, kirsch, plum sauce, mocha, licorice, and laced with some Indian spices. Liquid silk in the mouth, with a moderate amount of rich, ripe tannins. Very long finish with very little heat. More restrained oak and alcohol than the Taylor. This is very elegant for a young port. It's drinking so well out of the bottle with little air that you shouldn't feel guilty enjoying a some now. There wasn't a significant change over the 2 weeks the bottle was opened. 2nd bottle with consistent notes. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View polskiman's profile Report Issue 10/25/2014 - polskiman Likes this wine: 96 points Another great Port from Dow's which is ready for immediate pleasure, but will age gracefully in the cellar. A true wonderful wine 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View pdemaio's profile Report Issue 4/28/2015 - pdemaio wrote: 95 points Purity of fruit and excellent balance. A lovely porto, with no discernable flaws, but needs time too develop some (more) secondary notes. Long finish. A baby, so score is a bit of a prediction, but I'm confident :-) PDQ94+ 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View oldwines's profile Report Issue 2/27/2021 - oldwines Likes this wine: 96 points From 375ml bottle, decanted at 17:15 and tasted from 20:00 through 23:00. Bright dark ruby crimson. Youthful yet it generated a surprisingly large amount of sediment. Intoxicating nose of ripe plum, dark cherry, raisins, chocolate, licorice, lavender and a whiff of alcohol. I decided to purchase and try one of these along side a 2011 Grahams’s after an exchange of comments with “MOTZ” regarding the 2011 Ports vs. the lauded 2016/17 vintages which he considers to be too heavily extracted (if I can draw that extension to both vintages) despite their considerable hype from the “popular critics”. This is a beautifully balanced wine with a smooth texture and richness without being overtly sweet or over the top ripe and extracted. A friend and I enjoyed this with a chocolate cake by an outdoor fireplace with which it was a perfect accompaniment. I’m not sure I would view this as my favorite vintage of the last 50 years but it may be the most reserved and balanced yet fundamentally ripe I have had, despite my love of the likes of 1955 Cockburn, 1963 Warre’s and Croft and 1977 Croft among others... the latter of which are clearly more broad and powerful. Many years (decades) left before this is fully mature. More commentary over the next several days as I see how this evolves... Next day this was still quite delicious and maybe a touch more full of secondary flavors of menthol, chocolate and cherry liqueur. Deeply flavored but not cloying of excessively heavy. Brilliant. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View drwine2001's profile Report Issue 5/2/2023 - drwine2001 wrote: NR Tasting at Graham’s (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal): Maturing rim. Powerful, backward, almost sweaty nose with a bit of herb. Moderately sweet but dry and stern in comparison to the rest. More concentrated than the Warre, uplifting citrus, long finish. Outstanding potential but needs at least another decade. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Lucia Skywalker's profile Report Issue 5/17/2016 - Lucia Skywalker Likes this wine: NR . Notes of a Novice 18/20% alcohol • decanted and had first taste at that time • pleasant on the nose • very sweet - too sweet, almost like a dessert in itself • raspberry is the strongest, most predominant flavor • good - nice • double-decanted after 5 hours, and corked • the sweetness seems to have mellowed, making it nicer to enjoy • some king of “effervescence” seems to have developed - not fizzy, but of some acidic nature, which seems to affect the first inch or so of my tongue. • there is a gained mellowness in the overall impression, pointing towards a more balanced wine • tasted after 24 hours from double-decanting and corking • less sweet - the quality of the sweetness seems to be less “harsh” • a lot more mellow overall • no “effervescent” sensation on tongue • no acidic sensation on tongue • tasted after 48 hours from double-decanting and corking • the finish seems to be more on the bitter side(?) Had some cheap red wine an hour before (did that alter taste buds? Had some Stilton before tasting the Port. • the sweetness is still mellow, like at 24 hours • not acidic, nothing of the “effervesce” mentioned above • nice - just not sure about that bitter short finish • NOTE - have been tasting daily, for test purposes, but under normal circumstances, would not have it every day. Too deserty, too full bodied, too much of an impression, as lovely as it may be. • tasted after 3 days from double-decanting and corking • possibly my favorite tasting • the sweetness has mellowed out incredibly - no comparison with “at opening”, or after the 5 hour decanting • the balance has improved tremendously • the bitter aftertaste from yesterday was not present, however, • there was a gentle bitter finish to it, for a short time, but a pleasant one, not like at 48 hours • today, the wine is more approachable - one could drink a bit more - due to less sweetness and a mellow bitter, which brings it into a beautiful balance • Tasted after 4 days from double-decanting and corking • just like day 3. Lovely! • the sweetness subsided • perhaps alcohol increased a bit? (not sure - did not eat) • all around mellow, sweet, fruity • does not take much to satisfy senses • I shall stop here, unless detecting changes over the next few days (still have about 2 days’ worth left) • Tasted on day 11 after double-decanting. • to me, still niece • very mellow • more flavors detectable • there is a gentle hint of cherry pits (slightly on the bitter side, but nice) • although day 11, to me - nothing off • had last about 6 weeks after opening • magnificent! • PERSONAL NOTE • It’s more like a liqueur, due to sweetness, body, fullness • paired beautifully with Stilton • very raspberryish, berryish • very sweet at opening • sweetness mellowed out after one hour of decanting • also, gained a bit of acidity after one hour, to me, almost an effervescent quality on the tip of tongue, but without bubbles. It did not last long. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5)
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Odedis.Wine.reviews's profile Report Issue 5/23/2023 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 95 points Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim. Full bodied with high acidity to balance the sugars. Sweet on the palate with nice complexity. Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked raisins, cedar, spices, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, light earth and herbs. Long finish with cherries. This is a gorgeous sweet wine from Portugal. Rich with great balance and a soft mouthfeel. The 1994 vintage was an exceptional vintage, so I was very excited to try it when I saw it on the wine list. Smells very young, although it smelled a little oxidized right out of the bottle, which went away after 20 minutes of airtime. Drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese. So nicely paired, tasty and decadent. A great experience to try these kind of wines from special vintages. 20% alcohol by volume. 95 points. $85. 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Tpety's profile Report Issue 3/3/2014 - Tpety wrote: 94 points I loved this Port! It's been a while since I've opened up a young port and was glad to read that this was drinking well. It didn't have any of the alcoholic heat that young Ports used to have. Dark fruit that was soft and supple with light tannins. I need to remember not to drink this as a normal red wine though, aye carumba, my head hurts this morning. I have half a bottle left for tonight, hoping it has softened up even more! 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View geppetto's profile Report Issue 12/23/2014 - geppetto Likes this wine: 99 points Second go at this stunning port. Coravined a 750ml bottle and let the glass sit for 5 hours. At this stage it needs much more air. The nose only begins to open up at the five hour mark and continues to blossom as time passes. As expected, this is so dark in color, it is almost black. Stains the wine glass (and my teeth). Intense dark fruit flavors, with hints of sweet blueberry on the finish. I am really enjoying this at this really young age... I plan to follow this until I die (hopefully a long, long time from now). Love this stuff! 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
Red - Fortified	1994 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Brent25's profile Report Issue 12/17/2023 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 92 points Clear pale ruby; clean medium plus nose of figs, raisins and leather; sweet; high acidity; medium tannins; high alcohol; medium body; pronounced flavour intensity; palate follows nose; long finish; drink now or in a few years; throwing massive amounts of sediment; very lean and elegant 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View Burgundy Al's profile Report Issue 11/29/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 95 points Tasting, brief note. This is an incredibly attractive yong port with tastes of dark chocolate and Linzer torte. Great fruit dominates, but the structure is indicative of a wine somebody will enjoy immensely half a century from now. 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
Red - Fortified	2011 Dow Porto Vintage Port Blend more	Options Post a Comment View geppetto's profile Report Issue 2/22/2014 - geppetto wrote: 99 points This was wonderful. Let it breathe in the bottle for 6 hours and sipped at it for several hours after dinner without any food. The nose improved as time passed. Spectacular flavors of rich dark fruits with hints of chocolate and a spice flavor that I can't put my finger on. I feel that the spice blending with the rich flavors gave it a really exotic profile. Yes, I know that this was baby killing, but I bought heavy and wanted to see what it looked like. If you have the opportunity, try one. I think you'll be pleasantly rewarded. 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

Tasting notes: 2,899 notes on 182 wines

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1994 Dow Porto Vintage

4/4/2021 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

12/4/2019 - Motz wrote: 98 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

12/9/2015 - cbgilmore wrote: 95 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

3/10/2015 - Motz wrote: 98 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

3/11/2021 - wineotim wrote: 95 points

1994 Dow Porto Vintage

4/13/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 96 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

5/22/2019 - Motz wrote: 98 points

1994 Dow Porto Vintage

1/28/2021 - MS86 Likes this wine: 93 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

3/14/2015 - Motz wrote: 98 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

10/2/2014 - beezer6 wrote: 96 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

5/19/2020 - East of Napa wrote: 98 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

10/24/2015 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 97 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

9/2/2016 - mdefreitas wrote: 96 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

12/30/2013 - DarinC Likes this wine: 96 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

10/25/2014 - polskiman Likes this wine: 96 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

4/28/2015 - pdemaio wrote: 95 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

2/27/2021 - oldwines Likes this wine: 96 points

1994 Dow Porto Vintage

5/2/2023 - drwine2001 wrote: NR

1994 Dow Porto Vintage

5/17/2016 - Lucia Skywalker Likes this wine: NR

1994 Dow Porto Vintage

5/23/2023 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 95 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

3/3/2014 - Tpety wrote: 94 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

12/23/2014 - geppetto Likes this wine: 99 points

1994 Dow Porto Vintage

12/17/2023 - Brent25 Likes this wine: 92 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

11/29/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 95 points

2011 Dow Porto Vintage

2/22/2014 - geppetto wrote: 99 points

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