Dow's Crusted 2013 Port
€ 29.50
The Crusted Port complements the Vintage and Late Bottled Vintage style. Traditionally, Crusted Port is selected from wines of Vintage quality, from two or three harvests, undergoes no fining or filtration prior to bottling and is released three years after bottling.
Crusted Port is a very British creation, astrongly associated with the British Port houses and often originally bottled from cask in the United Kingdom. Since bulk exports were suspended in 1996 this work is now restricted to the cellars in Portugal. Dow’s Crusted is a blend of excellent young ports from two or three harvests, bottled
without any fining or filtration in 2013. Only the bottling year is indicated on the label, as the port results from a blend of choice wines from several harvests. This port was aged in bottle in the Dow’s cellars in Portugal for eight years before being offered for sale. Crusted Port derives its name from the fact, that exactly like Vintage Port, it will throw a “crust” or natural deposit with bottle age. Crusted Port, although approachable at the time of release (i.e. a minimum of 3 years after bottling), will repay the patience of allowing it to develop further in bottle for a number of years. It will then develop the magnificent bouquet and flavour unique to bottle matured wines, and thus offers an excellent value alternative to Vintage Port
The style is name for the sediment (or ‘crust’) that it throws, and it usually requires decanting, although the crust in this wine is fairly light. Its role as a subsititute for the region’s grandest wine has led to it being described as the ‘poor man’s vintage Port’ which seems to me, on tasting this richly characterful and substantial wine, to be damning it with faint praise. The WineDoctor
Inviting aromas of, crushed cherries, cassis and fruits of the forest. Lush and opulent on the palate with succulent,
ripe blackberry flavours, hand in hand with attractive spicy notes from the fine-grained tannins. A generous, stimulating wine, enjoyable on its own, with chocolate
desserts or with a cheese platter Stand the bottle upright a few hours before opening so as to allow the deposit to settle prior to decanting.
Food-Pairing
A delicious digestive excellent with chocolate desserts, especially dark chocolate. Cheddar, Gouda and Brie cheese. Spicy dishes with red meat, game, lamb, veal, and pepper steak
Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousao & and old mixed vines
Dow’s Crusted Port is a blend of particularly full bodied Ports of very high quality from recent vintages (normally from the two or three harvests immediately preceding the bottling date). These Ports are matured in cask for some 12 to 18 months before being bottled without any fining or filtration. Dow’s Crusted Port is then aged for a further three years in bottle in the Dow’s cellars prior to being released for sale. This prolonged bottle-ageing gives this Port a superb style and character with the distinctive Dow’s dry finish.
Grapes from Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim and Senhora da Ribeira vineyards. Some componentes are sometimes drawn from other, smaller Dow’s properties.
Alcoholcontent
20%
pH: 3,55
Store & Serve
Serve at cellar temperature at 12 - 15ºC.
Keep at a constant temperature away from intense direct light. As with Vintage Port, the wine should be stored lying down and will require decanting prior to serving. Stand the bottle upright for an hour or two before opening so as to allow the deposit to settle prior to decanting. After decanting, the wine will quickly reach its peak and will be consumed best during the day or within 2 days after opening.
Critics & Awards
4/5 - Vivino (316 ratings)
Producer: Dow's
Region: Douro