1980 Dow - how's it drinking?

Rico Thompson · Post by **Rico Thompson** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:46 pm

Any recent impressions, suggested decant time etc.?

Thanks,
r

Steven Kooij · Post by **Steven Kooij** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:34 pm

Ahhhh, the Dow 1980...this is a GREAT Port (and a personal favourite) that is still extremely young: it still has a looooong life ahead. Yes, it is tasty already, but should be better with additional cellar age. Were you to open one now, I'd decant it some 8 hours before tasting.
FWIW: my TN from March last year (tasted blind):
Very, very young. Fresh dark cherry and blueberry aromas, enhanced with a slight funky touch. Medium bodied, LOADED with young, fresh blackberries, cherries and plums yet not jammy. Sooo powerful! Medium sweet. The midpalate showed just a little mature aromas, and some sharpness. I adored the long, chocolate finish of this wine, that had a lovely grip as well: 95 – Dow 1980 Vintage Port.
I’ve tasted the Dow 1980 more than any other Vintage Port, and have always been EXTREMELY impressed. This is such an underrated wine; its youthfulness is just unbelievable. This is a Port for the ages.
For me it was the WOTN; the fact that it was the first decanter to be finished makes me think that the others liked it as well…

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:05 am

Steven is right, it's an incredibly good port. But it is also still brutally young, so make sure to decant well ahead if you plan to open it!

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:49 pm

I have had three bottles this year and many in the past. My last experience was during a Dow vertical in mid-November. It showed extremely well, and like Steven .... this is one I have always loved. I find that it is drinking really well now, but don't see it as a big and powerful beast at all. It is well balanced, with medium tannins and lots of upside potential. So we are all in agreement that this is one heck of a fine buy from an under-appreciated vintage. I just don't find it as BIG as others. That of course, does not diminish its appeal.

Linden W. · Post by **Linden W.** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 4:12 am

This is my favourite 1980. In the UK prices for these are quite reasonable. I picked up some bottles at auction this year @ £19.60 each.

nicos neocleous · Post by **nicos neocleous** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:02 am

As usual, I agree with Roy here.

Off the back of his good advice, I sourced some bottles in the UK. I am still trying to keep my hands off them as this has decades of life ahead.

Paul Napolitano · Post by **Paul Napolitano** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 11:22 am

Roy turned me onto this Port many years ago and I thank him for that. Always LOADED (as someone else here said) with fruit but balanced as far as acidity, alcohol and tannin. Will be awesome in 15 years.