ThePortForum.com

Vertical of Dow, and two bottles of Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, on Tuesday 7th September 2010, at The Crusting Pipe. Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Placemats;
• Dow 1958;
• Dow 1963;
• Dow 1966;
• Dow 1970;
• Dow 1972;
• Dow 1977;
• Dow 1980;
• Dow 1983;
• Dow 1985;
• Dow 1991;
• Sandeman 1982 (a late addition, replacing a Dow 1994, a Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira 2006, and a Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira 2008);
• Planning and arrangements.

Mid red, with the colour holding well into the rim; perhaps 70% opacity. Sweet red peppers on the nose and some menthol showing (but it was getting hot in the room by then). Quite simple on the palate, with sweet red rapsberries and some soft tannins. Not complex, but a perfectly enjoyable palate. A hot aftertaste, followed by a sweet and slightly cloying finish of decent length. This is a fairly simple and straightforward - and very reliable - house port for the Crusting Pipe. 85/100. Drunk 7 September 2010 after 1 hours decanting.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): A lovely, easy drinker, and comparative to the Croft '82 in that respect.