Dow's Vintage Porto 2003 / 750 ml.

Item#: 21271

RP9494 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Oct 2005
The complex aromatics of the opaque, black-colored 2003 Dow Vintage Port display chocolate, dried oak, black cherries, blackberries, copious spices, and a myriad of flowers. A fresh, backward wine, it offers a medium to full-bodied, deeply concentrated core of spice-laced dark fruits. Softly-textured and seductive in the mid-palate, it boasts abundant layers of candied Damson plums, blueberries, black cherries, molasses, and hints of chocolate before revealing its firm structure. Extremely youthful and primary, this exceptional effort demands patience. Projected maturity: 2025–2045+.
SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Apr 30, 2006
Aromas of blackberry and licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of sweetness, fine tannins and a caressing, textured finish. Refined. Best after 2012.
SP92+92–94 pts. - Wine Spectator - Jul 31, 2005
Thick and velvety, with loads of fruit and a chocolaty, berry and raspberry character. Big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Medium-sweet. Wonderful. Dow shows class here.
WS9292 pts. - Wine & Spirits - December 1, 2005
The black kernel of flavor that often forms the core of a Dow vintage is there in this wine, surrounded in ’03 by juicy sweetness. Firm, bitter chocolate tannins are present behind the lush, honeyed fruit; savory herbs parallel the sweeter, floral tones. Rounder and more approachable than most young Dow vintages, this wine’s structure is masked, and it’s not clear whether it’s a 20 year vintage or longer. Drink 2020 through 2030.

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Dow’s

Critical Acclaim

RP94 94 pts. / Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate (31st Oct 2005)

The complex aromatics of the opaque, black-colored 2003 Dow Vintage Port display chocolate, dried oak, black cherries, blackberries, copious spices, and a myriad of flowers. A fresh, backward wine, it offers a medium to full-bodied, deeply concentrated core of spice-laced dark fruits. Softly-textured and seductive in the mid-palate, it boasts abundant layers of candied Damson plums, blueberries, black cherries, molasses, and hints of chocolate before revealing its firm structure. Extremely youthful and primary, this exceptional effort demands patience. Projected maturity: 2025–2045+.

SP93 93 pts. / Wine Spectator (Apr 30, 2006)

Aromas of blackberry and licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of sweetness, fine tannins and a caressing, textured finish. Refined. Best after 2012.

SP92+ 92–94 pts. / Wine Spectator (Jul 31, 2005)

Thick and velvety, with loads of fruit and a chocolaty, berry and raspberry character. Big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Medium-sweet. Wonderful. Dow shows class here.

WS92 92 pts. / Wine & Spirits (December 1, 2005)

The black kernel of flavor that often forms the core of a Dow vintage is there in this wine, surrounded in ’03 by juicy sweetness. Firm, bitter chocolate tannins are present behind the lush, honeyed fruit; savory herbs parallel the sweeter, floral tones. Rounder and more approachable than most young Dow vintages, this wine’s structure is masked, and it’s not clear whether it’s a 20 year vintage or longer. Drink 2020 through 2030.

Where It's From

Country / Portugal

View more wines from Portugal

Portugal is most famous (and justifiably so) for its Port wines, fortified wines that are typically sweet and often served with dessert. Port wines come in many styles such as Tawny, Late Bottled Vintage, etc, and are classified by how they were produced.

Besides Port, however, Portugal is also one of the fastest-rising wine countries in the world (as far as quality and production) when it comes to table wines. You'll find some unbelievable values in Portuguese table wines, with grapes like Touriga Nacional at the forefront.

More Information

SKU 21271
Product Type Wine
Alternate Name Dow’s Vintage Porto
Country Portugal
Product Location - Location-Appellation Douro
Package Size 750 ml.
Brand Dow’s
Bottles per Case 12
Spirit/Port Style Vintage Port
Vintage 2003
Can it be Shipped Yes
Premier Pick No
Wine Spectator Top 100 Year 6
Wine Type none
Dollar Sale (Y/N) No

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The 2016 Croft Vintage Port has a taut bouquet at first that demands a good 20 or 30 minutes to get into its stride. It eventually reveals scents of blackberry, bilberry, chimney soot, clove, and just a hint of scorched earth in the background. The palate is spicy and vivacious on the entry: black fruit, clove, white pepper and curry powder (almost like a Balti!) I love the personality imbued into this Croft, a Vintage Port that seems to be wearing its heart on its sleeve. Excellent. Production is 3,050 cases.
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Dow's Old Tawny Port Aged 10 Years NV / 750 ml.
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SP9292 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2018
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