1966 Dow’s Vintage Port 

BY JOSH RAYNOLDS | OCTOBER 26, 2020 

The vintage Ports of 1966, despite their extremely high quality, have and probably always will live in the shade of the monumental 1963s, which is great news for consumers. The region enjoyed a fabulous growing season and the vintage was declared (meaning that a vintage-dated wine was bottled) by virtually every producer, a less-common occurrence back then than it is now. Nineteen sixty-six has long been an undervalued year for Port, especially given the across-the-board quality of the wines, many of which can stand toe-to-toe with their 1963 siblings. All of the wines are fully mature now, as might be expected after 52 years in the bottle. 

Dow’s 1966 Vintage Port is a gorgeous example of the year, offering intense, deeply concentrated cherry liqueur, toffee, candied fig, maple syrup, datecake and membrillo qualities and a vibrant, spicy overtone. Silky and seamless in texture and finely detailed, it seduces with its balance and elegance rather than opulence and power, fully in keeping with the house style. Its intense sweetness is mitigated by its sharp delineation and energy. I have no doubt that it will outlive 1962-vintage people like me. Its a wonderfully flexible Port to serve with all sorts of not-too-sweet, savory desserts and, especially, mild cow’s milk blue cheeses. 96/Drink 2020-2035.