The 2016 Dow’s Vintage Port is a fortified wine produced by Dow’s Port, a renowned house in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Sourced primarily from the Vinha dos Ecos vineyard behind the Bomfim estate, this vintage is crafted from mature Touriga Franca vines with a low yield of 0.68 kg per vine, contributing to its intensity. It is aged for two years in oak casks, resulting in a complex, full-bodied wine with a deep ruby color, opaque core, and purple reflections. The bouquet is described as astonishing, featuring layered notes of intense black cherry, cassis, dark fruit, spice, cocoa, clove, leather, and a hint of over-ripe Satsuma. On the palate, it is smooth, velvety, and elegant, with fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, and chocolaty nuances. Its restrained yet powerful structure makes it a sophisticated choice for long-term aging.

Food Pairings

The 2016 Dow’s Vintage Port pairs excellently with rich, bold flavors due to its sweet, fortified nature and complex profile. Recommended pairings include:

• Chocolate Desserts: Its notes of chocolate and dark fruit complement chocolate-based desserts like brownies or dark chocolate torte.
• Blue and Hard Cheeses: The wine’s sweetness and acidity balance the saltiness and intensity of blue cheese or aged cheeses like cheddar or gouda.
• Rich Pastries: Desserts like fruit tarts or nut-based pastries pair well with its opulent fruit and spice notes.
• Dried Fruits and Nuts: Figs, walnuts, or almonds enhance its fruit-forward and nutty undertones. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a dessert wine, served slightly chilled (55-65°F) to highlight its flavors.

Critics’ Reviews

The 2016 Dow’s Vintage Port has received high praise from critics, reflecting its quality and aging potential:

• Wine Enthusiast (97/100): “Very floral, intense and ripe, this is a wine that is based around big black fruits as well as fine acidity. It is obviously destined for long aging with its powerful dry tannins and perfumed acidity.” – Roger Voss

• Decanter (98/100): “Tight-knit, with firm, rapier-like tannins on the palate – a ramrod all the way through with the opulence and flesh of the fruit on the finish. Fine-grained with great purity and expression. Leaner and much more restrained in style than others: the drier style of Dow works really well in ripe years such as 2016.”

• James Suckling (96/100): “Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and dried flowers plus hints of slate follow through to a full body, very fine tannins and a driven and linear finish. Orange peel and dried fruit. Sleek and racy.”

• Wine Advocate (93/100): “This is a very elegant Dow’s, but there is certainly both power and concentration lurking underneath. It is expressive and sophisticated, a very refined offering.”

• Falstaff (95/100): “Delicately spicy underlay of wild black berries, dark cherries, fine nougat touch and overall still somewhat restrained aroma. Substantial, fine fruit expression, silky tannins, mineral and persistent, fine structure, good, vintage-typical freshness, balanced, chocolaty nuances on the finish, certain ageing potential.” – Peter Moser

• CellarTracker (94.6/100): Average of 29 community reviews, indicating strong consumer appreciation.  The wine’s high scores reflect its balance of sweetness, structure, and aging potential, though some note it is less burly than other Dow’s vintages, with elegance as a hallmark.

Drink Window

The 2016 Dow’s Vintage Port is built for long-term aging, with critics recommending the following drink windows:

• Wine Enthusiast: Drink from 2028 onward, suggesting at least 12 years of aging from the vintage year to allow its tannins and acidity to soften.

• James Suckling: Ready to try in 2024, indicating it may be approachable earlier but will continue to evolve.

• Falstaff: Notes “certain ageing potential,” implying decades of development due to its fine structure and freshness.  Given its powerful tannins and vibrant acidity, this port could age gracefully for 20-40 years or more, with an optimal drinking window likely between 2028 and 2050, depending on storage conditions and personal taste for mature port flavors.

Notes

• The 2016 vintage is noted for its restrained, elegant style compared to other Dow’s vintages, making it a standout for those who prefer finesse over power.