Dow's, 1963 Vintage Port

Vintage Port

Bottle size: 75cl

ABV: 20%

Price:

£245.00

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Description

Dow’s Vintage Port 1963 is widely celebrated as one of the finest Ports of the 20th century. Declared by most of the major houses, the 1963 vintage followed ideal growing conditions in the Douro Valley, producing wines with exceptional balance, power, and ageing potential. Among them, Dow’s stood out for its distinctive dry style and depth of character, gaining legendary status over the decades.

At over 60 years old, a well-stored bottle of Dow 1963 can still offer a stunning tasting experience. The wine typically shows a rich brick-red color with tawny edges, a natural sign of long ageing. On the nose, it opens up with layers of dried figs, dark cherries, cedarwood, and hints of spice or eucalyptus. The palate remains concentrated, showcasing dried fruits, nuts, cocoa, and silky tannins — all held together by a lingering, structured finish.

Dow’s house style is known for being a bit drier than some other vintage Ports, which has contributed to its remarkable longevity. This balance between sweetness, acidity, and structure allows the 1963 to remain vibrant even today, although bottle variation is to be expected at this age. When opening such a bottle, careful decanting is essential, as decades of sediment will have settled in the wine.

Collectors and enthusiasts consider the Dow 1963 not just a vintage Port, but a historical treasure. It often sells for several hundred pounds per bottle, with pristine or original-release bottlings commanding even more. For those lucky enough to open one, it’s best enjoyed slowly, either on its own or paired with strong cheeses or dark chocolate — a fitting tribute to a masterpiece of Portuguese winemaking.

Condition

Good level and label

Reviews

"A beautiful rich nose of roasted coffee beans, cherry liqueur and Asian spice. The palate is smooth, hedonistic and loaded with sweet red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries. There is a saturated quality to this Dow, a sense of completeness that I love. An opulent chocolaty finish - very long and attractive. Perhaps not as “structured” as I expected but this Dow is drinking beautifully and will surely last a number of years. Drink now-2020." Tasted July 2003. Neil Martin, Wine Journal- 94 points

Mid to pale ruby with a brick rim. Wonderfully mature, complex nose with dried fruits – prunes? – but freshness too. Hint of dark chocolate. Alcohol wonderfully integrated. Then on the palate a real dancer of a wine – perfectly lively and truly tonic on the palate. Real delicacy – not desperately sweet, just beautifully balanced. Very very clean finish with a definite whisper of tannin on the finish. The Syms reckons this would be one of the top four or five vintage ports of the 20th century by anyone’s reckoning and certainly it demonstrated to me exactly what I love about really mature, top quality vintage port – a world away from young ruby. Jancis Robinson- 19 points- Tasted 2006.

Upgrade this item with a Luxury Gift Package

Gold Cardboard Presentation Box - £4.45

Single bottle cardboard presentation box. Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit a 75cl bottle (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

Single Bottle Black Wooden Box with Sliding Lid - £7.95

Sliding lid wooden gift box with straw lining. Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit a 75cl bottle (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

Single Bottle Dark Mocha Leather Effect Gift Box with Silk Liner - £11.95

Send your wine in a beautiful silk-lined, Dark Mocha Leather Effect gift box.
Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit a 75cl bottle (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

2 bottle Wooden Gift Box - £13.95

Create a unique gift package with our two bottle wooden gift box with sliding lid.

Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit two 75cl bottles (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

Deluxe Gift box with Accessories - £14.95

Send your wine in a beautiful silk-lined gift Box with an accessories set inlaid into the lid. Includes: Corkscrew; Wine Pourer; Thermometer and Wine Stopper.

Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit a 75cl bottle (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

Two Bottle Dark Mocha Leather Effect Gift Box with Silk Liner - £15.95

Create a unique gift package with our luxury Dark Mocha Leather Effect presentation box with silk liners.

Select this option for your first wine and then standard packaging for the remaining wine.

Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit two 75cl bottles (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

Three Bottle Wooden Wine Gift Box - £16.95

Select this option for your first wine and then standard packaging for the remaining two bottles.

Includes tasting notes and a personal message (can be input in the Personal Gift Message Box at the basket stage).
***Please note this product is manufactured to fit three75cl bottles (50cl and 37.5cl bottles can also be packaged inside this box).

Six Bottle Oak Gift Box with Protective Insert - £30

Send your port or wine gift in a six-bottle oak gift box with protective Insert.
The wine gift includes tasting notes and a personal message as standard(please enter your message in the message box at the checkout).