Dows 1997 Vintage Port

Dow's 1997 Vintage Port

Producer Tasting Note:

The last to be bottled in the 20th century, the 1997 is a classic Dow’s Vintage Port. A typically spicy nose with aromas of blackberries, currants, and cocoa. Fantastic balance and structure on the palate with lovely black fruit flavours. Very enjoyable now, but still has lots of potential for further ageing.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Rich, deep, bright purple. Nose still full of youth dominated by ripe berry fruit where cherry plays an important part. All backed by glorious floral tones with dark rose and violets. Massive mouth with huge, youthful flavours. The enormous seam of fruit spans the mouth with full tannic backing. At this stage the beautiful balance is overwhelmed by the fruit. Lifted by the spirit and well held by the well-judged oak. An enormous wine that will please the adventurous now but will more than repay many more years in the bottle. Gorgeous beauty.”

Gold Medal, International Wine & Spirit Competition, June 2007

"Mouthfilling and round, without any sharp edges, but this wine remains extremely firm and dense, with several decades of life ahead of it. Dried fig, chocolate and black licorice flavors only hint at what lies ahead."

94/100 points, Wine Enthusiast, January 2008

Also rated #25 in the Wine Spectator top 100 wines of 2000.