Dow's 2000 Ex-Cellars (750ML)

99 JS / 96 FS / 95+ WA / 95 DE / 95 WE / 17.5+ JR

Ex-Library Bottles.

Shows the intense ripeness of the vintage with hints of raisins and other dried fruits. Full-bodied, medium sweet and so very velvety. A big mouthful. Superb. Just starting to open.-James Suckling

Deep garnet, ochre reflections and a broad and bright rim. Hints of cookie, dried fruit, raisins, blueberries and candied orange zest. Present tannins, fine praline notes, delicate hints of After Eight, enormous minerality and dark chocolate on the finish. A versatile port, maturing well with further long ageing potential.-Falstaff

I under-estimated this Dow when it was first released. It has a deeper in colour than the Fonseca, the Dow 2000 has a lifted nose with fruitcake, damson, black plum, a touch of nail varnish and apricots. The more that you inhale its perfume the more complex it seems. The palate is full-bodied, quite spicy on the entry but very austere in the middle. Firm tannins, robust, a touch of dryness towards the earthy finish. Nice persistency on the finish, those peppery motes flittering about the mouth. Drink 2020-2050+ Tasted May 2009.-Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate

Heavily led by Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, Dow’s vintage Port wines are blended from two of owner Symington’s preferred vineyards: Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira. The wines are noted for their drier styles with Dow’s pushing the fermentation longer than standard practice. This was aged in old oak casks for 18 months before bottling. RM Still youthful in appearance; lovely fragrant, floral aromas, underlying intensity and depth. Fresh, firm, ripe minty-berry fruit with tight-knit tannins and a long, well-defined finish. SJ Rich, beguiling nose dominated by plummy concentration and chocolate truffles. The full-bodied and dense palate supported by quite high acidity and a good tannic bite. Satisfying indeed. DW Compact and dense, with emerging juicy and persistent black fruit, and spice, liquorice and hints of leather. Tannic refreshment and freshness keep the whole wine in balance. Tasted 09/22. --Richard Mayson, Shane Jones, Demetri Walters MW, Decanter

This is an impressively concentrated wine, showing the hallmark Dow's dry edge, but still full of ripe fruit, flavors of black plums and berries. It has weight and spice, but also a delicious perfume, layered through a smooth, opulent texture. — Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast

Deep crimson still and a beautifully round, ripe expression of Douro fruit but, when contrasted with Dow's 1977 alongside at the JancisRobinson.com Christmas dinner, it looked rather callow and unformed. When we finished the decanter many days later with Stichelton, it was a delight. Context is all.-Jancis Robinson