Dow's Vintage Port 2011

Dow's Vintage Port 2011 is a declared vintage port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 99 points and named Wine of the Year 2014 by Wine Spectator, this is one of the most acclaimed vintage ports of the modern era and a landmark release for the Dow's house style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro, Portugal  |  2011 Declared Vintage  |  Producer: Dow's (Symington Family Estates)

Production & Heritage

Dow's has been producing port in the Douro Valley since 1798 and is now managed by the Symington Family Estates, one of the leading port-producing dynasties in Portugal. The 2011 vintage was fermented in traditional shallow granite basins known as lagares, using robotic treading machines that replicate the gentle action of human foot-treading to extract color and tannin from the skins. The blend comprises 40% Touriga Franca, 36% Touriga Nacional, 10% Sousão, and 14% old vine field plantings. Critically, Dow's ferments its ports slightly longer than other Symington family labels, resulting in less residual sugar and the characteristically drier finish that has defined the house for generations.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with penetrating layers of black cherry and crushed dark berries, evolving into violet, lavender, and dark tobacco. Further time in the glass reveals Indian spice, menthol, orange rind, and a mineral-laced depth that signals serious complexity.

Taste: The entry is plush and elegant, delivering superconcentrated black raspberry, cassis, and dark plum flavors across a velvety mid-palate. Dense and unctuous, but never heavy — perfectly integrated acidity and floral lift keep the wine in constant motion. Layers of kirsch, chocolate, and white pepper build toward a peak of remarkable intensity, with Dow's signature drier edge lending structure and tension.

Finish: Exceptionally long, full, and grippy, with lingering Asian spice, raspberry tart, and licorice accents that persist for minutes. The dry tannins provide a firm backbone, suggesting decades of aging potential ahead.

How to Drink Dow's 2011

Decanting is essential — allow at least two to three hours for this young vintage port to open fully. Serve slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), in a tulip-shaped glass that concentrates the complex aromatics. While vintage port is traditionally enjoyed neat at the end of a meal, it also anchors several classic preparations: a Port Cobbler highlights the wine's dark fruit and spice with citrus and crushed ice; a Porto Flip pairs the dense berry and chocolate notes with egg and nutmeg for a rich after-dinner drink; and a simple Port and Tonic stretches a small pour into a refreshing aperitif that showcases the wine's underlying acidity.

Best For

• Cellaring as a long-term investment wine with proven critical acclaim
• Marking a milestone birthday or anniversary from the 2011 vintage year
• Gifting a serious wine collector a Wine Spectator Wine of the Year
• Serving as the centerpiece of a vintage port tasting alongside other 2011 declarations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dow's 2011 taste like? Dow's 2011 delivers powerfully concentrated black raspberry, cassis, dark plum, and chocolate flavors framed by firm dry tannins and a characteristically drier finish than most vintage ports. Violet, Asian spice, and a floral lift add complexity and elegance.

How does Dow's 2011 compare to Graham's The Stone Terraces 2011? Both are Symington Family Estates productions from the outstanding 2011 declaration, but Graham's The Stone Terraces is a single-vineyard, limited-production bottling typically richer and sweeter in profile. Dow's 2011 is a full vintage blend fermented slightly drier, offering more structural tension and a firmer tannic grip.

Is Dow's 2011 good for cellaring? With 99 points from Wine Spectator and scores of 96–98 from Wine Advocate, this is a textbook cellar candidate built for long-term aging. Its dense tannic structure and concentrated fruit suggest a drinking window that could extend several decades from vintage.

Where is Dow's 2011 made? Dow's 2011 is produced in Portugal's Douro Valley, one of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions. The fruit is sourced from Dow's premium quintas and vinified in granite lagares under the management of the Symington Family Estates.

What foods pair well with Dow's 2011? Stilton or Roquefort blue cheese draws out the wine's dark fruit and balances its tannins. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the port's cocoa and berry richness. Roasted walnuts and dried figs complement the spice and mineral notes. Crème brûlée provides a textural contrast to the wine's firm structure. Slow-braised oxtail with port reduction creates a savory echo that amplifies the wine's depth.

What sizes does Dow's 2011 come in? Dow's 2011 Vintage Port is available in the standard 750ml bottle, and some markets may carry 375ml half-bottles or 1.5L magnums depending on allocation.

Is Dow's 2011 worth the price? Dow's 2011 positions as a premium declared vintage port, and its pricing reflects the near-perfect critical consensus — 99 points from Wine Spectator, 96–98 from Wine Advocate, and 97+ from Vinous. Within the context of top-scoring 2011 declarations, it represents strong relative value given its pedigree and aging potential.

Why Dow's 2011?

No vintage port in recent memory has captured the attention of critics the way Dow's 2011 did — Wine Spectator's 99-point score and Wine of the Year designation in 2014 placed it among the most celebrated wines on the planet. That acclaim is supported by an extraordinary consensus: 96–98 points from Wine Advocate, 97+ from Antonio Galloni's Vinous, and 96 points each from Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling. The wine's identity is rooted in Dow's house philosophy of fermenting slightly drier than its peers, a production choice that gives this vintage its distinctive structural tension and separates it from sweeter, more opulent declarations. For collectors, milestone gifting, or anyone seeking to experience one of the defining vintage ports of the 21st century, the 2011 is the benchmark.