It’s only been a year since we looked at Dow’s two entry-level Tawny Port releases, one a 10 year old and one a 20 year old. We just got fresh bottles of each, so let’s take a spin back into these expressions to see what, if anything, has changed.

Dow’s Tawny Port 10 Years Old (2020) – This is drinking with more vibrancy and freshness than I recall from last year, with lots of baking spice and vanilla atop a brown butter creaminess. There’s a slight strawberry note that lingers on the finish, giving the otherwise raisiny body more of a candylike texture — and a nice foil to the traditional oxidized wine character. B+ / $39

Dow’s Tawny Port 20 Years Old (2020) – Nicely, ruddy brown in color, this is naturally richer but still offers plenty of fruit, and a bolder, more immediate oxidized character. Austere and winey, the impact of the barrel is more evident here, with notes of black tea and orange peel emerging alongside a stronger vanilla and cocoa character. A bold raspberry/cherry note lingers on the finish. A- / $67

dows-port.com

Dow's Tawny Port 10 Years Old (2020)

$37

8.5

Rating

8.5/10