Dow’s Quinta Do Bomfim Single Quinta Vintage Port

Description

Dow’s Quinta Do Bomfim Single Quinta Vintage Port is crafted in the same traditional method as Dow’s Vintage Port, but from non-declared vintage years. Made exclusively from fruit grown at the historic Quinta Do Bomfim estate in Portugal’s Upper Douro Valley, this exceptional Port showcases the distinctive dry, peppery style that has made Dow’s famous for over two centuries.

What is Single Quinta Vintage Port?

Single Quinta Ports are exceptional vintage-style wines made from a single estate in years not officially declared as vintage years. Even in slightly lesser vintages, Port Houses produce outstanding wines from their finest properties—wines that can rival traditional Vintage Ports in quality and ageing potential.

Dow’s Quinta Do Bomfim Vineyard, Planted 1896

Dow’s Quinta Do Bomfim is possibly Dow’s finest vineyard, acquired and planted by the firm in 1896. It is situated in one of the most favourable locations in the Upper Douro; indeed, the name is derived from Vale Do Bomfim, meaning “the well-placed valley”. The entire vineyard is classified A-rated, the highest quality grading awarded by the Douro’s regulatory body, reflecting its exceptional terroir and consistent production of top-quality fruit.

• Total vineyard area: 74.6 hectares

• Predominantly south-facing schist terraces

• Some vines over 60 years old, with historic plantings dating back to the 1920s

Grape Varieties at Quinta Do Bomfim

The vineyard is now almost entirely planted in individual varietal blocks, allowing each grape variety to be harvested and vinified separately to achieve maximum expression and balance.

Traditional Douro grape varieties planted at Quinta Do Bomfim include:

• Touriga Franca

• Touriga Nacional

• Tinta Barroca

• Tinta Roriz

• Old mixed vines and other indigenous varieties

The high proportion of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional contributes to the wine’s power, aromatic intensity and ageing potential.

The Dow’s Port Style

When young, Dow’s Quinta Do Bomfim wines are purple-black, austere, complex and intensely concentrated; they are characterised by very fine peppery tannins. Over the centuries, the winemakers at Bomfim have evolved a style that suits this particular vineyard; fermentations are a little longer, resulting in a drier Port Wine that has become the hallmark of Dow’s Ports.

The grapes are normally extremely ripe at the time of picking, a direct result of the low-lying position of the main vineyard. Spice and pepper balance the black chocolate flavours, and these are very evident in all Bomfim Ports. Abundant fruit flavours with hints of maple, raisins and ripe blackberries give elegance and poise to this wine. The very high percentage of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional planted on the estate results in the powerful aromas of mint and violets on the finest Ports from the property.

About Dow’s Port House

Dow’s Port boasts a distinctive history among the great Port houses, beginning in 1798 when Portuguese entrepreneur Bruno da Silva founded the business in London, contrary to the usual practice of British merchants establishing in Portugal. The company evolved through partnerships, becoming Silva & Cosens, then merging with Dow & Co. in 1877 to form Dow’s.

Today, Dow’s Port is one of the most famous names in the Port trade, synonymous with exceptional Vintage Ports from the Upper Douro Valley. One of the first Port firms to invest in its own premium vineyards, Dow’s acquired Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira in 1890 and Quinta Do Bomfim in 1896.

Since 1912, when Andrew James Symington became a partner, five generations of the Symington family—whose experience spans more than 100 years—have owned and managed the company, living and working on-site to supervise every aspect of the vineyards, winemaking, ageing at these iconic estates and crafting outstanding Port wines.

Other Information

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

This Port will require decanting. Read the Fareham Wine Cellar Guide to Decanting Port.