Dow’s 20 Years Old Tawny Port 2 x 0.75L Port Wine WINEMAKER: Charles Symington. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 94 Points, Decanter World Wine Awards 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast 93 Points, Vinum Magazine 92 Points, Wine Spectator 92 Points, Jeannie Cho Lee 91 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine WINE VARIETIES: Traditional from Douro Region. VINIFICATION In the barrel-ageing process, aged tawny Ports are subjected to a gradual transformation through contact with air and wood. This results in considerable evaporation and concentration, with approximately 35% of the original volume of a 20 year old tawny disappearing before it is eventually bottled. Constant attention is needed as maturing barrels and vats of varied sizes will show marked differences as they age. The master blender, cellar master and coopers all play their parts in nurturing the maturing wines until finally a beautifully balanced aged tawny Port emerges. Dow’s Aged Tawnies have a singular identity which strives to balance the proportion of wood character with the original fine fruit flavours. To achieve this style, the Dow’s tasters have traditionally aged a proportion of their ageing tawnies in the larger wellseasoned oak vats, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 litres. The result is that the Dow’s Aged Tawnies retain an attractive fruit character and lose less intensity over the years, with a deeper colour than most. This, combined with the hallmark drier style of Dow’s, creates unique Ports with a distinctive style. TASTING NOTES With a polished brown centre and orangeamber edges, this wine has a honeysuckle scent with discreet butterscotch notes. Refined and balanced on the palate, flinty and mellowed tannins meld with concentrated red berry fruit and lifted mineral freshness. Nuanced flavours of tobacco lead to a focused, dry finish. SERVING Dow’s 20 Year Old Tawny pairs well with nuts, dried fruits and fruitcake but also with vanilla ice cream or crème brûlée. Serve slightly chilled. It will last for up to one month once open. HISTORY The name of Dow’s has been closely linked with the finest ports from the Douro Valley for over two centuries. Since 1912 when Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow’s, five generations of Symington winemakers have worked at Dow’s vineyards, creating superbly concentrated wines known for their distinctive drier finish. Over the last 100 years, the Symington family have focused on strengthening Dow's reputation as a Vintage Port producer. Their efforts were rewarded when the 2007 Vintage Port earned a perfect 100-point score from the Wine Spectator and the 2011 Vintage Port was awarded Wine of The Year - ranking No.1 in the Top 100 Wines list. More recently, the family relaunched Dow's Aged Tawny collection to widespread acclaim and built a new winery and an award-winning visitor centre at Quinta do Bomfim. PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s).