Dow's Vintage Port 2016

Dow's Vintage Port 2016 is a declared vintage port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a standard 750ml format. It earned 98 points from Wine Spectator and a matching 98 from Decanter, placing it among the highest-rated ports of the 2016 declaration.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Producer: Symington Family Estates

Production & Heritage

Dow's is one of the oldest port houses, now managed by Symington Family Estates, the family-owned company that also oversees Graham's and Warre's. The 2016 vintage draws heavily from the Vinha dos Ecos vineyard, where mature Touriga Franca vines were cropped at a remarkably low 0.68 kg per vine, yielding extraordinary concentration. The blend comprises 48% Touriga Franca, 31% Touriga Nacional, with contributions from Sousão and old mixed-vine plantings. Grapes were processed using traditional foot treading alongside modern vinification techniques, then aged for 18 months in seasoned oak casks before being bottled without filtration or fining. Dow's signature drier style comes from arresting fermentation at a later stage than most houses, allowing more sugar to convert to alcohol and resulting in noticeably lower residual sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated blueberry and blackberry fruit before shifting into dried flowers, violets, and a distinctive note of shale powder. Hints of orange peel and rosemary emerge with time in the glass, adding aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is dense and layered, with intense black cherry and cassis fruit building through the mid-palate. Touches of clove, leather, and a fleeting note of over-ripe satsuma surface as the wine opens up. Exceptionally full-bodied yet structured, the palate reflects Dow's characteristically austere and drier profile — rich without being cloying.

Finish: Long and tightly wound, with rapier-like tannins that are fine-grained and precisely structured. Lingering notes of slate, dried fruit, and dark berries persist well after the final sip, suggesting decades of cellar potential.

How to Drink Dow's 2016

This vintage port is best served slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C, in a tulip-shaped glass that concentrates the aromatic layers. Given the wine's youth and tannic structure, decanting for at least two to three hours — or ideally several more — helps the layers unfurl. While primarily a sipping port, its drier profile and dark fruit intensity also work in a Port Tonic, lengthened with premium tonic water over ice for a refreshing aperitif. A Porto Flip (port, brandy, whole egg, nutmeg) showcases the wine's body and spice. For a modern twist, a Portonic Spritz with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel plays off the citrus and floral aromatics.

Best For

• Laying down in a cellar for a milestone celebration 20–40 years from now
• Gifting a serious wine collector or port enthusiast
• Marking a 2016 birth year, anniversary, or vintage-significant event
• Hosting a vertical or horizontal port tasting alongside other 2016 declarations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dow's 2016 taste like? Dow's 2016 delivers concentrated black cherry, cassis, and blueberry fruit layered with clove, leather, and slate, all framed by firm, fine-grained tannins. It is notably drier and more austere than many vintage ports, a hallmark of the Dow's house style.

How does Dow's 2016 compare to Taylor's 2016? Both earned exceptional critical scores in the 2016 declaration, and blind tastings have noted that both display brighter fruit than many of their peers. Taylor's tends toward a more powerful, structured expression, while Dow's is distinguished by its drier finish and aromatic florality.

Is Dow's 2016 good for sipping neat? Yes — this is a vintage port designed for contemplative drinking, ideally after a generous decant to open its layered aromatics and soften its youthful tannins.

Where is Dow's 2016 made? Dow's 2016 is produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal by Symington Family Estates, with fruit sourced primarily from the estate's Vinha dos Ecos vineyard.

What foods pair well with Dow's 2016? Stilton or aged blue cheese matches the wine's tannic grip and dark fruit. Dark chocolate truffles echo its cassis and berry notes. Roasted walnuts complement its slate and earthy undertones. Slow-braised beef cheeks mirror its richness and depth. A Portuguese queijo da serra provides a regional pairing with creamy contrast.

What sizes does Dow's 2016 come in? Dow's Vintage Port 2016 is available in the standard 750ml bottle, with some markets also carrying 375ml half-bottles and 1.5L magnums.

Is Dow's 2016 worth the price? Dow's 2016 positions as a premium vintage port, and its 98-point scores from both Wine Spectator and Decanter place it at the top tier of the 2016 declaration, representing strong value relative to comparably scored vintage ports from other leading houses.

Why Dow's 2016?

Two 98-point scores from Wine Spectator and Decanter set this vintage apart, with additional accolades of 97 from Wine Enthusiast and 96 from James Suckling reinforcing its critical standing. The extremely low yields from Vinha dos Ecos — just 0.68 kg per vine — deliver a level of fruit concentration that is rare even among declared vintage ports. Bottled unfiltered and unfined after 18 months in seasoned oak, the wine preserves every dimension of that concentration. For collectors and port devotees, the 2016 vintage represents one of the finest modern expressions of Dow's famously drier house style, built for serious aging and capable of evolving for decades.