| 17.0 / 20 |
Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
The vintages from Dows I have been fortunate enough to taste have always felt more austere and dry than other brands, where the wines feel more sweet and round (for instance, Graham's comes to mind). Great wines all of them, of course, but a definite distinct approach.
This 77 vintage follows this dry and austere approach. Still very much red in the glass, with some slightly brownish tinge, the aromas are very spiced - cinnamon or cocoa for instance - while at the same time having a earthy feel to them (old cupboards). As the wine stays in the glass for quite some time, sweeter notes (honey and raisins) start to appear in the background.
The mouth is similarly focused on spices and old wood. Dry in the mouth, still with a very decent acidity, it has an elegant, almost delicate body and a superbly long persistence.
I decided not to rate this higher because I felt that the wine should be even better in the mouth. It felt restrained and as if it was holding back something. Maybe it would have benefited from a longer decantation (I gave it about two hours)?
Tasted on 2011-01-30
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