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NYC Dow Vertical -- 50 years of Dow Classics
1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007
Review, Organizing, Decant time discussion, Placemats

1980 Dow, decanted 1hr

Lamont:

1980 (1+hrs)
Way dark in the glass - still an opaque purple in the center. Looks more like a 10 year old port than a 31 year old! Beautiful, floral nose of rich chocolate and ripe purple fruits. Medium-Full bodied with fantastic balance and texture and a lucious dark fruit profile - big but totally integrated. There is some grippy spirit that preludes the long finish but in a pleasing way, showing the amazing youthfullness of this port. This may not have been the most complex wine of the night but it was just so undeniably delicious that it won me over in the end. After the tasting I was second-guessing whether I really liked this better than the '60 and then I looked at my notes and saw that I had written "Killer killer killer!" and "I wan't to drink this all night!" next to the '80 - so yeah, I had to crown it the champion among some very worthy competition. 96+ pts

The color of this was truly stuning.

Had a nose of lemongrass and a slight curry powder loaded with crushed black berries.

It's uncouth, thick, rich and lush. Loads of spiciness on the mouth, dark cocoa powder, backed with some condensed plums finishing with an allspice, dark chocolate finish.

92 now, but I feel this could be a 98 blockbuster.

Two little bottles,was the color more ruby red,absolute stunning changing flavors.
Really great.

Perhaps my favorite bottle of vintage port (though I have a sentimental attachment, so may be slightly biased).

I think this is just beautiful. Balanced, ageworthy, great fruit, and lingers in the mouth for ages.

Really wonderful stuff, and a clear standout in the vintage.