2003 - Dow's, Vintage

The complex aromatics of the opaque, black-colored 2003 Dow Vintage Port display chocolate, dried oak, black cherries, blackberries, copious spices, and a myriad flowers. This fresh, backward wine 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+. Importer: Premium Port Wines, Inc., San Francisco, CA; tel. (866) 554-9920

Full ruby. Knockout nose features black cherry, blackberry and licorice pastille. Rich and sappy on the palate, with a suave, velvety texture and unusual power for a young Dow. Flavors of kirsch, minerals and licorice are not at all overly sweet. In fact, this is ultimately quite taut, focused and powerful, with a very firm core of fruit. Finishes firmly tannic, highly aromatic and quite long. A 2003 of outstanding purity and precision, in need of 15+ years of aging. May ultimately merit an even higher score.

Part of the Symingtons' current Library Release collection. Recorked and relabelled. Really powerful, deep, rich and warm. Less floral than the Graham's or the Warre's 2003. More peppery. Chewy but smooth. Dense with a chocolatey finish. Deep and generous with the tannins adding to the freshness, which is just right for completeness and balance. (JH)