March 21, 2023 - Raisin, mocha, minty, savoury, black tea, high acidity, sweet but great balance, ever-changing in the glass. More intriguing than Taylor’s 2018 vintage port.
January 15, 2023 - My first vintage Port. WOAH. This is like the SR-71 blackbird of wines. Impossible raw power but so sleek, elegant, and streamlined. This is going to sound like a negative note, but it's not: it almost smelled exactly like artificial grape flavoring, except that it's real. Like a reverse uncanny valley. The nose seemed to show pretty much every red wine fruit note imaginable, of course leaning toward the darker spectrum but also with lots of verve and energy, almost like acai and wild raspberry alongside blueberry/blackberry liqueur- somehow the fruit was ultra dense and concentrated, but still ultimately very fresh, not even remotely baked, jammy, dried, etc. Lots of aromas resembling fresh bread and bakers chocolate also. Just wild. The palate was the texture of cream liqueur, and the alcohol was powerful of course but shockingly well-integrated. Just so, so much flavor, like eating 8 blackberries at once with a shot of vanilla syrup. Not cloying though, if that's even possible. Acidity is there to give it freshness and cut. What's more, although it's tannic, it never once felt coarse or gritty. Absolutely silken texture all the way through.
This really changed my view on dessert wines that aren't riesling, to be honest. Just incredible. I don't have a sweet tooth, but this was special- expensive, but this half bottle felt worth it. Not the kind of thing I'd want all the time, but when I want to feel like an old British land baron, I'll definitely start trying some more vintage port. Will try some older bottles too, but I usually tend to prefer younger or very slightly aged wines to heavily aged ones, so I don't regret this whatsoever.
August 5, 2022 - Deep purple with captivating aromas of black fruit and cacao. Concentrated, impeccably composed with impenetrable depth. Primary and slightly granular at present. Rewards with long mouth-coating finish. Approachable now with extended decant but a better future awaits.
April 15, 2022 - If you want the wine equivalent of a ride on a rocket ship try this without decanting or bottle aeration, as I did.
November 28, 2021 - From a 1/2 bottle. Note to self - even at this young age, this needs to stand upright in the cellar for a few days before opening. Loads of sediment. Still, unreal delicious - wow wow wow. This is very fruity and primary at this stage, with an endless finish and beautiful fruit. The tannins are very fine and refined - this presents as very balanced at this stage (except the massive fruit). Just a wonderful wine. I'm very glad that I bought a case.
October 23, 2021 - Decanted 48 hours. Tasted blind alongside '16 Dow's, '16 & '17 Cockburn, and '16 & '17 Taylor's. Each one could be a point higher because the palate got blasted.
The 2017 Dow's was just gorgeous. Not as huge as the 2017 Taylor's, but more balanced. Both Dow's had gorgeous fruit - the 2017 had a bit more tannin and a longer finish. Obviously young but so beautiful and will hopefully continue to be.
Dow's was never my favorite house style, but maybe that's changing.
September 8, 2020 - Half bottle, tasted over two days, alongside the 2016 vintage.
Forward, open knit, ethereal. Intense purity of fruit, conveyed through expressive perfumes and suave textures. Not much grip, nor minerality, even the tannin is quite powdery. In no way the equal of the 2016...and it will not live nearly as long...but that is ok. Overall, not to be overthought, rather enjoyed over the near to mid term.
January 7, 2020 - Popped and poured a small glass tonight.
Very fruity and sweet without much depth or complexity. Hoping for better with next glass tomorrow night.
Day 2:
Nose has taken on a little depth. Showing darker fruit notes and a little more complexity.
Palate is a little darker, a little more layered in flavors, longer finish.
Heading in a better direction and showing nice potential to age.
December 7, 2019 - Just a quick sample. Great balance and concentration.
Young and primary but wow, such a balance and power without being overwhelming.
November 29, 2019 - 94+