2017 Vintage Port, Dow, Douro, Portugal

Charles Symington commented after selecting the final blend:

“This is one of the finest Dow’s Vintage Ports I have blended. I believe this wine more than deserves its place alongside our recent Dow’s Vintages of 2016, 2011 and 2007. In my opinion it has the potential to rank alongside the Dow’s all-time greats.”

It is rare to see such tremendous depth and intensity in colour as this wine displays. The freshness of the floral aromas is very attractive with a dominance of rockrose, a flower that grows wild around the hills of Senhora da Ribeira. On the palate, it is exceptionally full-bodied, rich and powerful with black fruit coming to the fore. Gorgeous, ripe fruit is balanced by the fine tannin structure. On the finish, it is typically Dow, austere and somewhat drier than many other ports. The intense fruit flavours linger long on the palate.