Dow's Vintage Port 2017 (75cl, 20%)

A declared vintage port from the Douro Valley in Portugal, produced by Dow's under Symington Family Estates. The 2017 vintage is a field blend of 42% Touriga Nacional, 38% Touriga Franca, 9% Sousão, 8% old mixed vines and 3% Alicante Bouschet, largely sourced from the Senhora da Ribeira vineyard. Fermentations run slightly longer than many rival houses, producing Dow's drier style, and the wine aged approximately 18 months in seasoned oak casks before bottling without filtration or fining. The nose is intensely floral, with wild rockrose and violet, dark berries and subtle tarry depth. The palate is full-bodied and rich, with blueberry, plum, bramble, chai spice, salted licorice and dark chocolate, plus fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity. The finish is long and sappy, with acai, warm spice, brambly grip and Dow's hallmark dryness.