Dow's Trademark Finest Reserve Port

Dow's Trademark Finest Reserve Port is a ruby reserve port from Portugal's Upper Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. An International Wine & Spirit Competition Gold medal winner, this expression stands apart from competing reserve ports through the characteristically drier finish that has defined Dow's house style for generations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Upper Douro Valley, Portugal  |  Reserve Port (approx. 4 years aged)  |  Producer: Dow's (Symington Family Estates)

Production & Heritage

Dow's is one of the most respected names in port, now managed by the Symington Family Estates — a family-owned operation that has controlled it since 1912. The fruit for Trademark Finest Reserve comes principally from two estate vineyards, Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora de Ribeira, along with carefully selected neighboring sites in the Upper Douro. The blend draws on traditional Douro grape varieties — predominantly Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, and old mixed vines — then matures for approximately four years in seasoned oak casks before bottling. This extended aging gives the wine its depth and complexity while preserving vivid fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich and concentrated from the first nosing, opening with ripe dark plum and blackcurrant before moving into layers of sweet raisins and baked strawberry. Underneath the fruit sits a warm undertone of mixed spice and a subtle savory note.

Taste: The entry is full and luscious, with dark berry fruit flooding the palate immediately. At mid-palate, firm tannins emerge alongside black currant and a well-structured acidity that keeps the sweetness in check. The overall impression is one of concentration and balance rather than overt sugar.

Finish: Medium-long with a distinctive dryness — the hallmark of all Dow's ports. Lingering notes of dark fruit, gentle spice, and a stalky tannic grip provide seriousness and suggest further development in the glass over time.

How to Drink Dow's Trademark

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), in a small tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics. It drinks well on its own after dinner and benefits from a few minutes of air after pouring. For cocktails, its darker fruit profile and structured tannins make it a strong candidate: a Port Old Fashioned, where it replaces some of the whiskey to add berry depth and body; a Porto Tonico, mixed with tonic water and a citrus twist for a refreshing Portuguese aperitif; or a Portini, a port-driven twist on the martini that plays off the wine's dry finish and spice.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese board of Stilton or aged cheddar
• Introducing a friend to quality port without overwhelming sweetness
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Old World tradition and structure
• Building a home bar's fortified wine selection with a benchmark reserve port

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dow's Trademark taste like? It delivers concentrated dark plum, blackcurrant, and ripe raisin flavors supported by firm tannins and balanced acidity, finishing with the signature drier style that distinguishes all Dow's ports from sweeter competitors.

How does Dow's Trademark compare to Graham's Six Grapes? Both are well-regarded reserve ports from Symington Family Estates, but Dow's Trademark finishes noticeably drier and more tannic, while Graham's Six Grapes tends toward a richer, sweeter, and more rounded fruit profile. The choice largely comes down to whether you prefer restraint and structure (Dow's) or opulence and sweetness (Graham's).

Is Dow's Trademark good for sipping neat? Yes — its balance of fruit concentration, tannic grip, and moderate sweetness makes it well suited to neat sipping after a meal, especially when served slightly below room temperature.

Where is Dow's Trademark made? It is produced from vineyards in Portugal's Upper Douro Valley, primarily from Dow's own Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora de Ribeira estates, under the direction of the Symington Family Estates.

What foods pair well with Dow's Trademark? Stilton or Roquefort blue cheese brings out the wine's fruit and offsets its dry finish. Dark chocolate desserts complement the ripe berry character. Roasted walnuts and dried figs echo the raisin and spice notes. Grilled lamb with rosemary works well with the tannin structure, and crème brûlée balances the port's acidity with creamy richness.

What sizes does Dow's Trademark come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Dow's Trademark worth the price? Dow's Trademark positions as a mid-range reserve port, sitting above basic ruby ports but well below vintage-dated or single-quinta bottlings. With IWSC Gold recognition and a Wine Enthusiast score of 89 points, it delivers strong quality relative to its price tier.

Why Dow's Trademark?

The defining characteristic here is the drier finish — a house signature that separates Dow's from the majority of reserve ports on the shelf. That structural restraint, combined with four years of oak aging and fruit sourced from two of the Upper Douro's most respected quintas, results in a port with genuine complexity rather than simple sweetness. Gold medals at both the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the Uva de Ouro awards reinforce its standing. For drinkers who find most reserve ports too cloying, Dow's Trademark is the category's clearest answer.