2024 Dow`s Vintage Port

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. 98+ points

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. 94-97 points