Dow’s Vintage Port 1983

93+ points Roy Hersh (For The Love of Port): “Decanted for 8 hours prior to drinking. Purplish ruby with a violet colored edge. Notes of stewed prune, tar, blackberry emerged initially and fragrant mint and Concord grapes showed up with more coaxing. Full and rich with a hint of spirit. This is still so very youthful at 25 years of age. It provides a smoky, dark, wild berry flavor profile which belies its age and drinks more like a VP from 1994 or 1997. Tannic but not astringent with an exceptionally long finish, this has another two decades of fine drinking ahead … easily! (Sep 2008)”

90.9 points CellarTracker.com community score.

4 stars, Michael Broadbent’s Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: “Still fairly deep; good flavour and balance. Dry finish. Drinking very well. Drink: Now-2015. Last tasted Sept 2003.”

90 points Robert Parker (Buying Guide, 2nd ed.): “This is an extraordinary house that seems to have been particularly successful with its vintage port since 1977. The 1983 is rich, concentrated, very fruity, and magnificently perfumed, suggesting that it is going to mature early, long before the 1977. (Jan 1989)”