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Manage SubscriptionsCommunity Tasting Notes 313
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tomandlu wrote: 96 points
April 13, 2024 - 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 Comment -
gmbdds wrote: 93 points
April 9, 2024 - Opened at Christmas and drank well for a month. I kept a few dregs until now and forgot to take it out of inventory. Notes are largely lost to time but I remember a still quite primary but delicious deep fruit and chocolate wine.
3 people found this helpful Comment -
Musigny1955 wrote: 95 points
March 30, 2024 - Purchased on release in fulls and halves, 750 bottle #6 of 12. No ullage, cork crumbled a bit. Forgot to decant before serving, yet still had super length, complexity, nose, forever finish. Rich yet drier Dow style works very well. This wine has been firing on all cylinders for the last half-decade, halves may be showing a bit more maturity than fulls. Not a drop left after the dinner party! If had decanted would probably been 96 or higher.
6 people found this helpful Comment -
jmcelroy Likes this wine: 98 points
March 24, 2024 - Phenomenal bottle of vintage Port. Delicious 1st day and on 2nd day had really opened beautifully.
6 people found this helpful Comment -
2ndvinwine Likes this wine:
February 23, 2024 - My second half bottle was not nearly as good as the first. I rated the first 100/100. This one had a bit more fire on the pallet from the high alcohol content. Not as smooth as my first bottle. The bottles were purchased from the same case and aged together.
Good, but not exceptional like the first half bottle.3 people found this helpful Comment
Pro Reviews 15
Add a Pro ReviewDecanter
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By Richard Mayson
My perfect case of Port, 11/2/2023 (link)(Dow's, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Richard Mayson
Richard Mayson's perfect case of Port for Christmas, 10/10/2023 (link)(Dow's, Vintage, Field Blend, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
WineAlign
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By Steve Thurlow
8/15/2020 (link)(Dow's Vintage Port, Doc Douro red) Subscribe to see review text.
Decanter
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By Richard Mayson
Vintage Port 1994: Expert's Choice, 1/1/2016 (link)(Dow's, Port, Douro, Portugal, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
For The Love of Port
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By Roy Hersh
Issue #84, 10/11/2014(Dow’s Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
Decanter
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By Richard Mayson
Port 1994 Experts Choice, 10/10/2014 (link)(Dow's, Port, Douro Valley, Portugal, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
For The Love of Port
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By Roy Hersh
Issue #73, 11/16/2012(Dow’s Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Roy Hersh
Issue #47, 9/30/2008(Dow Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Roy Hersh
February 2009, Issue #40(Dow’s Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Roy Hersh
February 2007, Issue #22 (link)(Dow Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Roy Hersh
(Dow Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
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By Roy Hersh
September 2006, Issue #17 (link)(Dow Vintage Port) Subscribe to see review text.
JancisRobinson.com
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By Jancis Robinson, MW
10/13/2004 (link)(Dow port Red) Subscribe to see review text.
RJonWine.com
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By Richard Jennings
10/24/2009 (link) 93 points(Dow Porto Vintage) Dark raspberry red color with pale meniscus; baked berry, baked plum, charcoal, herbal nose; rounded berry, berry pie, cherry palate, solid yet; long finish
Wine Library TV
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By Gary Vaynerchuk
Port and Roaring Forties Cheese, Episode #326, 10/3/2007 (link) 96 points(DOW'S PORT) #1; COLOR-really dark; NOSE-clearly the most youthful; coming through w/ a massive explosive Plum; a cellar dust chalkiness; an Ocean freshness; citrus aspect; hairspray component; TASTE-this has Magic in it; has the potential to be legendary; more youthful & needs more time, this can last for 50 years; this also drinks tremendously now -- it has the pedigree, balance & fruit to combat the alcohol level of Ports; Exceptional; however, this has the clear tannin levels, balance & guts to last for 50-100 years; RP-96; GV-96
Wine Definition
- Vintage 1994
- Type Red - Fortified
- Producer Dow
- Varietal Port Blend
- Designation Vintage
- Vineyard n/a
- Country Portugal
- Region Douro
- SubRegion n/a
- Appellation Porto
- UPC Codes 004799020461, 094799020349, 094799020356, 094799020462, 094799020479, 094799020486, 094799020554, 5010867200340, 5010867201934, 5608309006614
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 66 (1%)
- In Cellars 8,935 (75%)
- Consumed 2,921 (25%)
Food Pairing
Community Recommendations
Chocolate, Chocolate Cake, Parmigiano, Stilton, Almonds, Gorgonzola, Hazelnuts, tous les chocolats ; un gorgonzola crémeux.Who Likes This Wine
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerDow
- VarietyPort Blend
- CountryPortugal
- RegionDouro
- AppellationPorto
Add Articles
- Wine1994 Dow Porto Vintage (add)
- FamilyDow Porto Vintage (add)
- ProducerDow
- VarietalPort Blend
- DesignationVintage (add)
- CountryPortugal
- RegionDouro
- AppellationPorto