Dow 2024

The 2024 Vintage Port from Dow's was picked from September 9 and finished in the first week of October and represents 17% of Dow's total vineyard area. It has a backward yet exquisitely defined bouquet with blackberry, iodine, hints of violet and crushed stone. The palate is armed with chiselled tannins, brilliant balance and poise, real intensity and drive, but I don't think there is another Vintage Port with as much precision as this Dow's. Long and tender on the finish, this is just magnificent. 2035-2085.

The 2024 Vintage Port follows the previous declaration of 2017. It was produced with grapes from Quinta do Bomfim in the Cima Corgo and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira in the Douro Superior. The blend is 40% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 15% field blend (vinhas velhas) and 10% Alicante Bouschet. It fermented in lagar and matured in oak casks. It's linear and structured, with some graphite, lots of resinous rockrose, hints of chocolate (classic Dow's) and is slightly dry and peppery, with a textbook note of violets. Dow's are typically brooding, not up front and quite long. It has a lot of grip. It comes in at 20% alcohol, with a pH of 3.65 and 99 grams of sugar, which makes this one of their driest vintages, with Cockburn's, making it long and vinous. I think this is great wine. 66,420 bottles produced. Drink 2040-2070.

Fruit from Quinta do Bomfim (Cima Corgo), Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira (Douro Superior) and Quinta do Santinho (privately owned, next to Senhora da Ribeira). A blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 15% old-vine field blend and 10% Alicante Bouschet. TA 4.5 g/l, RS 99 g/l. Bottled unfiltered May 2026. 5,535 cases, comprising 17% of Dow’s total vineyard production in 2024.Black as the ace of spades. Dark blackcurrant intensity. Incredibly pure, even-handed, but dark, too, like dark chocolate, a touch charry. Gorgeous dry texture and mouth-watering freshness. Tastes really dry and so elegant, beautifully tailored. Rich in black fruit and yet both generous and structured. Peppery with a touch of spice and violets on the palate. More precise than Warre’s violets, incredibly refined. A touch of herbs, rosemary and dusty-mineral schist impression. Long, refined finish. Drink 2030-2084.

From Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Sra. da Ribeira in the Douro Superior, a blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 15% Vinha Velha and 10% Alicante Bouschet: if anything, deeper in colour than Warre above; gloriously ripe on the nose and expressive already with a nicely lifted touch of hedgerow fruit giving off a lovely perfume; suave and smooth initially, especially for Dow, with peppery tannic grip rising in the mouth, long and linear, tight knit and dry in style as befits Dow (3.4 baumé) but in no way overpowering on the finish with beautiful definition. Certain to be a classic. 5,535 cases.