Dow's, 1994

Vintage Port
Special Library Release
** 97 Points Lisa perotti Brown - in Asia **
** 96 points Robert Parker **

Description and Reviews:
The 1994 is one of Dow's finest Vintage Ports from the latter half of the twentieth century. It was widely praised by wine critics and writers shortly after its release, receiving consistently high ratings. For the second time since the original en primeur launch, the Symington family has decided to release a limited quantity from their maturing stocks in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. This wine has perfect provenance, having matured solely in the ideal conditions of the Dow vintage cellars, which are located near the Atlantic Ocean and benefit from the moderating maritime climate.

The 1994 Dow's Vintage Port exemplifies the classic style of the house, marrying fruit intensity with complexity and finesse. While already showing immense pleasure in its youth, it promises to reward further aging in the cellar, evolving and maturing gracefully for decades to come.

Tasting Notes:
The 1994 Dow's Vintage Port is a deep, opaque ruby wine with a complex bouquet of blackberry, cassis, plum, cherry compote, dried figs, violet, rose petal, dark chocolate, espresso beans, and exotic spices. On the palate, it has bold flavors of black fruit preserves, bittersweet chocolate, roasted coffee beans, and toasted oak. The wine's natural sweetness is balanced by vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins, creating a sense of power and elegance. The finish is long and lingering, inviting contemplation and anticipation of future evolution.

Serving and Food pairing
Vintage Ports are best served slightly below modern room temperature: 16° to 18° C. This is the kind of wine that can be enjoyed now or aged even further to allow its flavors to develop and evolve over time. Whether you're sipping it on its own or pairing it with a rich dessert like chocolate mousse or a selection of aged cheeses, a vintage port is sure to be a memorable experience.

Dow's Port, often referred to simply as Dow's, is one of the oldest and most distinguished Port houses in Portugal's Douro Valley. Founded in 1798 by Bruno da Silva, a Portuguese merchant. Dow's has a rich history of producing high-quality Port wines. The shipper is particularly renowned for their Vintage Ports, which are made only in exceptional years from the finest grapes grown in the company's vineyards, known as quintas. These quintas are located in the upper Douro Valley, where the rugged terrain and unique microclimates contribute to the production of grapes with exceptional depth and complexity.

How to store your Vintage Port
Vintage Port, like all fine wines, prefers to remain undisturbed, lying on its side in a dark and at least slightly humid place at a stable temperature of between 10°C and 14°C to mature properly.


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