1975 Dow Vintage Port
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:21 am
OK, here's the test drive
1) Provenance
Three bottles purchased from Peter Wylie, a specialist British supplier of very old wines. Guarantee numbers were nearly consecutive.
PW appeared to have recently acquired two cases in their owc's (not on last printed list). I am always wary of unwanted and badly stored Christening presents at this age band, but two cases is an unusual present, so unlikely.
2) Condition
Labels in good order, but with marks, degradation and a little mildew consistant with storage in case at good humidity. Guarantee seals showed some staining from capsule, and proved to be fairly brittle. Levels were a little low: First bottle had level at mid neck, a second had level a quarter inch lower, and the third had level just above base of neck.
The bottle with the lowest level also had a small amount of seepage evidenced as frosting - this bottle was selected for opening.
3) Opening
A sound but crusty cork was cleaned and prepared. I attempted to open the bottle with an Ah-so , but the cork made a sudden descent into the bottle. However, it proved possible to decant past the cork with ease.
4) First impressions
Bouquet was very spiritous and thin, but no off-notes. Colour pale with a slightly tawny edge, looked very clear and attractive in the glass.
The first sip was not encouraging, the spiritous element being dominant.
5) Second impressions
After leaving in decanter for three hours, the spiritous element had magically vanished, and some elegant drinking was enjoyed. Both bouquet and flavour were light - and dry as one expects from Dow.
6) Conclusion
Clearly this is a wine that is on the down slope, but not hopelessly so.
A friend observed that if it had been passed off as a very ancient bottle, few would have doubted it.
Not a wine for laying down now, this is definitely in the "drink up" category
If you encounter any at auction, I would suggest a bid limit of £15/$30 per bottle.
1) Provenance
Three bottles purchased from Peter Wylie, a specialist British supplier of very old wines. Guarantee numbers were nearly consecutive.
PW appeared to have recently acquired two cases in their owc's (not on last printed list). I am always wary of unwanted and badly stored Christening presents at this age band, but two cases is an unusual present, so unlikely.
2) Condition
Labels in good order, but with marks, degradation and a little mildew consistant with storage in case at good humidity. Guarantee seals showed some staining from capsule, and proved to be fairly brittle. Levels were a little low: First bottle had level at mid neck, a second had level a quarter inch lower, and the third had level just above base of neck.
The bottle with the lowest level also had a small amount of seepage evidenced as frosting - this bottle was selected for opening.
3) Opening
A sound but crusty cork was cleaned and prepared. I attempted to open the bottle with an Ah-so , but the cork made a sudden descent into the bottle. However, it proved possible to decant past the cork with ease.
4) First impressions
Bouquet was very spiritous and thin, but no off-notes. Colour pale with a slightly tawny edge, looked very clear and attractive in the glass.
The first sip was not encouraging, the spiritous element being dominant.
5) Second impressions
After leaving in decanter for three hours, the spiritous element had magically vanished, and some elegant drinking was enjoyed. Both bouquet and flavour were light - and dry as one expects from Dow.
6) Conclusion
Clearly this is a wine that is on the down slope, but not hopelessly so.
A friend observed that if it had been passed off as a very ancient bottle, few would have doubted it.
Not a wine for laying down now, this is definitely in the "drink up" category
If you encounter any at auction, I would suggest a bid limit of £15/$30 per bottle.