Dow has a long history with Port wines, but over the last few decades they have been making great strides with still red and white wines. They have consistently produced quality still wines that I have reviewed for several vintages. Their “everyday” red and white wines from Vale do Bomfim - line priced at a mere $15 - are terrific quality for the price. This red, a blend of traditional Port grapes not made into a sweet wine, includes Touriga Nacional (40%), Tina Roriz (30%) and smaller amounts of Tinta Franca and Tinta Barroca. Though a lighter style wine, there are notes of bright red cherry, light black cherry, pomegranate, plum, and blackberry with a light cracked black pepper whiff. The acidity is spot of for a Douro red and the light aging of just six months in oak provides a bit more tannic structure than most wines at this price. So Dow’s Symington family shows us that quality wine need not be expensive and they are to be congratulated for not only terrific Port wines, but excellent still wines. ORIGIN: Douro, Portugal. ALCOHOL: 14%
