Dows Late Bottled Vintage Port (LBV)

£13.75 / bottle
£156.75 / case (12+ bottles, 5% off)

Country	Portugal
Region	Douro
Size	75cl
Year	2012
Grape	Touriga Nacional
Other Grapes	Sousao, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional
Website Link	Dow's Port Wines

Description

Dows Late Bottled Vintage Port is style of Port designed to be ready for drinking on release. Late Bottled Vintage Port (also known as LBV) is Port from a single vintage that must be aged for between four and six years in oak cask, prior to bottling and release (compared to two years in oak, followed by bottle ageing for Vintage Port). This extended oak ageing period helps to soften the wine and speeds up the maturation process so the Port is much more drinkable at an early age compared to a Vintage or Single Quinta Port.

Dow’s Port is one of the most famous names in the Port trade and today is owned and managed by the fifth generation of the Symington family. The family, whose experience dates back over 100 years, supervises all the vineyards, winemaking and ageing of this wine. Dows acquired Quinta Senhora da Ribeira and Quinta do Bomfim in 1890 and 1896 respectively which made it one of the first Port firms to invest in their own premium vineyards. The Dow’s Port style is always full-bodied, a little drier and has more peppery / spicy notes than some other Port houses due to the fact they allow their wines to ferment a little longer than most. Dows Late Bottled Vintage Port has won more awards than any other LBV Port and is released in both declared vintage and non-vintage years.

The grapes for Dow’s LBV are Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira vineyards. This is a typical Douro field blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Sousão, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz.

Dows Late Bottled Vintage (or LBV) Port is lightly fined, i.e. filtered, and does not require decanting.

Serve With

Delicious with cheese, nuts or dark chocolate. An excellent dessert wine to enjoy on its own or with chocolate desserts or semi-cured/cured cheeses (Cheddar, Manchego and others). Ready to drink, no need to be decanted. Once opened, if kept at a cool temperature, will retain its freshness for up to a month.

Tasting Notes

Dows Late Bottled Vintage Port is a deep ruby red colour. The nose has concentrated aromas of black fruit, blackcurrant, floral hints, spice and peppery notes. It is powerful and full-bodied on the palate. There are more ripe red and black fruits, dried fruits, hints of tobacco, chocolate and peppery spice. Well balanced with good acidity and a long, fresh and slightly dry finish.