Very Dow in its intensity, taut and lean with the vigor of a young thoroughbred. Typical Dow’s deep, brooding aromas of black plum and Douro schist with lavender and violet notes. Profound and substantial on the palate. A beautifully toned wine of impressive structure.
Reviews
This packs a lot of fun, with a wallop of blackberry, fig, boysenberry and açai berry compote flavors working together, laced with a mouthwatering licorice snap note and driven by a fresh, well-detailed finish. A roasted apple wood accent is integrated as well, lending textural contrast through the vivacious finish.
Wow. What a sexy nose with aromas of crushed berries, wet earth and pebbles. Full body, medium sweet with an intense and powerful finish. A vintage Port that leaves an impression. 5,000 cases produced of this mechanically trodden wine. Try in 2023.
CELLAR SELECTION - 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.
This is a very elegant Dow's, but there is certainly both power and concentration lurking underneath. Adding fine fruit, it is expressive and sophisticated, a very refined offering that seems not quite as burly as in some years. It is still exceptionally appealing, but it was curiously understated when seen. Some bottle shock, perhaps? The fresh 2016 Vintage? This is an illustration of Charles Symington's philosophy, as relayed to me, that the "wines should be in harmony from the first day."
...this vintage is prettier than most young Dow’s of the past. The fruit feels cooler than most of the other top wines of 2016, with red and purple highlights, both in flavor and in floral scents. Alcohol warms the finish, but it’s the impression of luscious fruit and flowers that lasts. Rich and complete, this is a wine for the long haul.