Dow’s Late-Bottled Vintage Porto
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Unlike many Port shippers, it is only in occasional, rare years of exceptional quality that Dow’s releases an LBV (Late-Bottled Vintage), which is why Dow’s believes their wine stands out well above any alternative.
- Dow’s Late-Bottled Vintage is a single harvest wine, coming primarily from a “declared” Vintage Port in that, in order to show their true potential, LBVs require a longer maturation period in seasoned oak casks.
- Following further bottle aging prior to its release, this means that the wine reaches you absolutely ready for drinking. Since it has spent so long quietly developing in barrel it will no longer throw a sediment and can be drunk with no need for decanting – just pull the cork!
- LBVs are remarkably stable wines and will keep for a 3 weeks or so after opening without deteriorating at all, if you have the self-restraint.
Varietal Composition: Traditional blend of Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, & Touriga Franca
Elaboration: Hand-harvest began relatively early at Bomfim, around mid-September, and about two weeks later at Senhora da Ribeira. They are fermented for a short period of time before the addition of 100% neutral grape spirit alcohol. This step stops fermentation, preserves the wine’s natural grape sugars, and gives its unique, rich flavors. Aged in barrel for an average of 5 years.
Tasting Notes: Deep purple with an opaque center. Fresh, exuberant aromas of red and black fruits, mint and licorice preface a broad palate of fruits of the forest with undertones of schist and firm, yet supple tannins. The well-toned structure combines sumptuous flavors with grip, ending with a long spicy finish.
PRESS
2011 – 90 Wine Spectator | 90 Wine Advocate | 94 Wine & Spirits
2012 – 90 Wine Enthusiast | 93 Wine Spectator
2013 – 91 Wine Enthusiast
2015 – 92 Wine Enthusiast | 90 Wine Advocate
2016 – 93 Wine & Spirits | 92 Wine Spectator | 92 James Suckling
2017 – 91 Wine Enthusiast | 90 Wine Spectator
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Founded in 1798 by Portuguese merchant, Bruno da Silva, Dow’s has lengthy history of offering some of the finest Ports. The Dow’s brand name was established when another partner, James Dow, joined the company.In 1912, Andrew Symington, a Scot who had been working in the industry for 25 years, became a partner in Dow’s. Today, the company is 100% owned and managed by the fourth generation of the Symington family, who are today the largest landowners in Portugal’s Douro Valley with over 4,000 acres. For over two centuries the name of DOW has been associated with the finest Port from the vineyards of the Upper Douro Valley. Throughout the 20th Century and into the 21st, the Symington family has built on the legacy of the preceding Silva and Dow families. Generations of Symington winemakers have worked at the Dow’s vineyards: Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, creating from them Dow’s superbly concentrated wines that are intense and tannic when young, maturing towards a superlative racy elegance with age and scented with violet and mint aromas. Dow’s attractive and distinctive drier finish is the recognizable hallmark of the wines from this great Port house.