Cigar Weekly

I shot a man in Reno · 10-10-2005, 09:08 PM

The other day I finally opened my bottle of Dow 1970 Vintage Port that I got a hell of a deal on last month.

Bottled in the year of my birth, this wine had slowly evolved in character over the last 35 years (much like my own personality I guess). But not nearly as much as it would evolve over the next 72 hours after opening it. Pulling the cork brought this old man back in to the world like a newborn baby taking its first breath of October air.

Day One: Revealed excellent complexity. Mint and currant were the flavors most easily detected.
Day Two: This classic wine had achieved balance. Noticable increases in viscosity and sweetness revealed elements of black cherry. I paired it with a one year old Ramon Allones Specially Selected - the gamble paid off well as my palate was gratuitously rewarded.
Day Three: The up front fruit flavors have begun to fade a bit revealing a touch of spice. The finish now goes on and on and on.
Day Four: I saved one last glass which brought on a slight touch of tangy orange peel and perhaps a hint of caramel. But for the most part, the upfront flavors have long since faded, leaving only a strong element of spice. It is now all about the finish. The old man has breathed his last last breath.

This wine peaked somewhere around 36 hours after opening. It is a true beauty. An elegant, classic example of how great a vintage port can truly be. This is the wine against which all future port tastings will be judged.

10-10-2005, 09:08 PM	#1
I shot a man in Reno Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 260	1970 Dow Vintage Port The other day I finally opened my bottle of Dow 1970 Vintage Port that I got a hell of a deal on last month. Bottled in the year of my birth, this wine had slowly evolved in character over the last 35 years (much like my own personality I guess). But not nearly as much as it would evolve over the next 72 hours after opening it. Pulling the cork brought this old man back in to the world like a newborn baby taking its first breath of October air. Day One: Revealed excellent complexity. Mint and currant were the flavors most easily detected. Day Two: This classic wine had achieved balance. Noticable increases in viscosity and sweetness revealed elements of black cherry. I paired it with a one year old Ramon Allones Specially Selected - the gamble paid off well as my palate was gratuitously rewarded. Day Three: The up front fruit flavors have begun to fade a bit revealing a touch of spice. The finish now goes on and on and on. Day Four: I saved one last glass which brought on a slight touch of tangy orange peel and perhaps a hint of caramel. But for the most part, the upfront flavors have long since faded, leaving only a strong element of spice. It is now all about the finish. The old man has breathed his last last breath. This wine peaked somewhere around 36 hours after opening. It is a true beauty. An elegant, classic example of how great a vintage port can truly be. This is the wine against which all future port tastings will be judged.