Dow's Vintage Port 1997

Dow's Vintage Port 1997 is a declared vintage Port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 95 points by Wine Spectator and named to its prestigious Top 100 list in 2000, this vintage remains one of the most respected releases from the late 1990s.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  Vintage: 1997  |  Producer: Dow's (Symington Family Estates)

Production & Heritage

Dow's has been producing Port since 1798 and has been managed by the Symington Family Estates since 1961. The 1997 vintage draws primarily from two flagship quintas — Bomfim and Senhora da Ribeira — using a blend anchored by Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, with supporting roles from Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Tinto Cão. The vintage marked a notable production milestone: Dow's employed their new Quinta do Sol winery for the first time, combining ultra-modern stainless steel fermenters with traditional foot treading in stone lagares at Senhora da Ribeira. This dual approach allowed for an unusually high degree of grape selection and lot separation, contributing to the wine's density and precision.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense blackberry and blackcurrant, layered with spice and worn leather. Roasted coffee and dark chocolate aromas develop with time in the glass, becoming more complex as the wine opens up.

Taste: The entry is warm and full, immediately coating the palate with dense black fruit wrapped in firm tannins. At mid-palate, dried fig, bittersweet cocoa, and black licorice emerge alongside espresso-like richness. Wine Enthusiast described it as "mouthfilling and round, without any sharp edges," while noting its extreme firmness and density.

Finish: The finish is long and moderately tannic, with lingering anise, plum, and chocolate powder trailing into a buckwheat-edged fade. A touch of spirit heat slowly integrates with air, and the overall impression is one of structured elegance with decades of development still ahead.

How to Drink Dow's 1997

Decant for at least two to three hours before serving at 60–65°F (16–18°C); this vintage still carries significant tannic structure that benefits from air. Serve neat in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the layered aromatics. As a cocktail ingredient, vintage Port of this caliber is best reserved for sipping, but younger Ports in the Dow's range work well in a Port Tonic (a Portuguese classic with tonic water and citrus), a Porto Flip (shaken with egg yolk and brandy for a rich, dessert-style cocktail), or a Portonic Spritz (Port topped with sparkling water and a sprig of mint for a lighter aperitif serve).

Best For

• Gifting a wine collector with a meaningful birth-year or anniversary vintage
• Pairing with a formal cheese course at a dinner party
• Cellaring for continued development through the late 2020s and beyond
• Marking a milestone occasion such as a 25th or 30th anniversary celebration

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dow's 1997 taste like? Dow's 1997 delivers dense layers of dried fig, dark chocolate, black licorice, and espresso over a backbone of firm tannins and concentrated black fruit. Wine Spectator praised its seamless integration of flavors and ample energy for further development.

How does Dow's 1997 compare to Graham's 1994 Vintage Port? Graham's 1994 is often described as more immediately expressive and approachable, while the Dow's 1997 shows a more brooding, structured character with tighter tannins. Both are Symington family properties from top Douro vineyards, but the Dow's tends toward a drier, more reserved style that rewards patience.

Is Dow's 1997 good for sipping neat? Yes — this is a vintage Port built for contemplative sipping after a generous decant. Its complexity and tannic structure reward slow, attentive drinking at a slightly cool cellar temperature.

Where is Dow's 1997 made? Dow's 1997 is produced in Portugal's Douro Valley, sourced primarily from Quinta do Bomfim in the Cima Corgo sub-region and Quinta de Senhora da Ribeira in the Douro Superior. Vinification took place at the Quinta do Sol winery and at Senhora da Ribeira's stone lagares.

What foods pair well with Dow's 1997? Stilton and aged cheddar complement the wine's tannic grip and dark fruit. Dark chocolate truffles echo its cocoa and espresso notes. Roasted walnuts provide textural contrast, while dried figs mirror the wine's concentrated fruit character. A charcuterie plate featuring cured meats and quince paste also pairs beautifully.

What sizes does Dow's 1997 come in? Dow's Vintage Port 1997 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Dow's 1997 worth the price? Dow's 1997 positions as a premium collectible vintage Port, and its 95-point Wine Spectator score and Top 100 recognition support its standing among the strongest declared vintages of the late 20th century. For vintage Port enthusiasts, it represents strong value relative to higher-profile years like 1994 and 2000.

Why Dow's 1997?

The 1997 vintage stands out in the Dow's portfolio as a pivotal release — the first to benefit from the new Quinta do Sol winery's precision fermentation alongside centuries-old foot-treading methods. That technological leap, combined with exceptional fruit from Bomfim and Senhora da Ribeira, produced a wine dense and structured enough to earn 95 points from Wine Spectator and a place on its Top 100 list. Now approaching three decades of age, the wine is entering a drinking window where its tannins have softened but its dark fruit core and spice complexity remain intact. For collectors and serious Port enthusiasts, this is a benchmark Douro vintage that continues to reward cellaring and careful decanting.