This 2012 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) shares the same provenance with Dow’s legendary Vintage Ports, namely the Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira vineyards, which have been owned by Dow’s since the late 19th century. Five generations of Symington family winemakers have tended these vineyards, deriving from them Dow’s distinctive wine profile, characterised by intense, structured wines with fresh black fruit flavors, peppery tannins and a hallmark drier style. Although 2012 was a very dry year in the Douro, lower than average summer temperatures helped to offset the effects of the drought, favoring gradual and balanced ripening of the grapes. The Touriga Franca, an important component of the Dow’s 2012 LBV, was particularly successful — as a late ripening variety it benefited from some timely rain at the end of September, followed by ideal fine weather.