Dow's, 2011

Vintage Port
Wine of the Year (ranking No. 1 in the Top 100 Wines list) by Wine Spectator.

Description and Reviews:
Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port

A landmark declaration year across the Douro, the 2011 vintage stands among the finest of the century — and Dow’s interpretation is a masterclass in power, purity, and poise. Produced primarily from the family’s famed Quinta do Bomfim and Senhora da Ribeira estates, this Vintage Port reflects the intensity of the year’s near-perfect growing conditions. The result is a wine that is both monumental in structure and captivating in elegance, built to age for generations.

In the glass, it shows an opaque purple-black hue with a vivid crimson rim — a clear sign of youth and concentration. The nose is extraordinary in depth and complexity, bursting with black cherry, cassis, and dark plum layered with notes of violets, cocoa, and a touch of mint. Beneath the fruit lies a savoury mineral character, giving the wine its distinctive Dow’s signature: restrained, dignified, and profoundly expressive.

On the palate, it is rich and tightly knit, with immense depth of fruit framed by firm, ripe tannins. Waves of blackberry, liquorice, and dark chocolate glide across the tongue, balanced by lively acidity that keeps the wine focused and precise. The finish is long and commanding, echoing with sweet spice, dried fruit, and the faintest touch of Douro earth — a seamless blend of power and finesse that promises decades of evolution.

This 2011 Vintage Port is a triumph of craftsmanship and terroir. Decant well in advance to unlock its aromatic complexity, and serve at 16–18°C. Perfect with blue cheeses, dark chocolate desserts, or simply savoured slowly by the fire, it is a wine destined to mark great occasions — and one that will continue to grow in stature for many years to come.