Brian wrote:
How do you rate the 1994 Dows V 2007 Dows?. A quick look on wine searcher shows the 1994 costing less than the 2007.
You have access to my note on the 2007 from the earlier link. I had it and the 1994 Dow side-by-side (along with the 2000 vintage … and also Graham’s/Warre’s/Qta do Vesuvio too from those 3 vintages) three weeks ago, while in the Douro. I had a hard time deciding between 94/95 points for the 1994 and had the 2007 at 96 points. I love the Dow and actually stayed there in 1994 and believe that had something to do with the extraordinary quality, of course. 
Here are some random notes from some of my other experiences with the 1994 Dow to provide you with more data points (from FTLOP’s Tasting Note Data Base):
1994 Dow Vintage Port
I’ve had this early and often and have a special fondness for this particular Dow. It is one of the few Ports I’ve ever purchased in 375 ml, so I could check on it whilst young and not have to touch my cases of 750s. Dark and brooding scents of cassis, blackberry, fennel and earth. Reticent at first, I liked it a lot but can only imagine how much better it would have shown with another six hours in the decanter. Massively fruited with plum flavors and a minty-herbal character which I found exotic and refreshing. Sheer power structurally with a deep reservoir of acidity and brash, ripe tannins. Concentrated and full-throttle intensity combine to provide a lip smacking big-boned VP with extraordinary aging potential, a crazy long finish. This is a dangerously delicious Dow for the ages. 95 Points
1994 Dow Vintage Port
A sentimental favorite, made better by drinking this less than a mile away from Quinta do Bomfim, where I stayed for several days, exactly fourteen years earlier to the week. Melanie did a great job with the Port tongs at The Vintage House. Although carefully decanted, this was really a tong and pour experience, but I took careful notes (sadly my photos were lost). Dark magenta color and fully opaque. A scented bouquet of violets, ripe raspberry, blueberry and menthol with just a hint of aguardente poking through. Compelling and powerful, viscous and concentrated smoothness in the mouth. Framed by crowd pleasing sweet boysenberry and huckleberry fruit that ended up with a dry and youthful tannic finish, and a joy-ride-excitement-inducing aftertaste. The entire group just loved this bright fruit-filled Port monster and I’ll always remember this particular bottle of VP. Sometimes it is the people and place that make a singular bottle of Vintage Port, better than it’s ever showed before! 96 Points (2008-05-06)
1994 Dow Vintage Port
Deeply extracted and impenetrably dark magenta color. Immediately the sweet boysenberry and ripe plum fruit got my attention as it seemed atypical for Dow. I’m certainly not complaining as this is a fabulous modern Dow which is sumptuous and almost chewy. The balance here is the strong suit and along with the ripe tannins, this should make for old bone thirty to thirty five years down the road. 94 Points (2006-10-03)
1994 Dow Vintage Port
I decanted my Port at around 1:30 today knowing I’d get a late start to drinking this evening. Back in 1994, during my first trip to the “promised land” to see my roots after years of dying to be able to afford a few weeks over there, I finally had my opPORTunity. We spent a week in Lisbon and surrounding areas and headed up to Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia where I spent every possible moment visiting Lodges from opening until they closed. Talk about a kid in the candy store. Sheesh. Then my girlfriend (at the time) and I headed up by train to the Douro where we disembarked at Pinhao and were driven the 1/2 mile to the entrance of Quinta do Bomfim which is the main viticultural center for Dow. I shot 14 rolls (x 36) of film and took copious tasting notes during this memorable trip. I prayed the entire time I was there that 1994 would become a declared vintage and when it was announced in the WS, I bought every case I could possibly afford on futures. Fortunately, I had the chance to try cask samples in Washington DC and knew exactly which VPs to buy. Dow of course, held a very special spot for me in terms of the '94. I have not opened a bottle of this (from my cellar) since the late '90s, until tonight. Talk about patience with Port! The Dow is garnet in color and nearly opaque. Initially this was pretty tight and at about the 6-7 hour mark, it started to bloom and after 8 hours it really was hitting its stride in the decanter. An expressive nose of raspberry, Champagne grapes and menthol are intertwined with the alcohol which settled into place during the past hour. The weight of this wine started out light to medium-bodied and has grown to be more viscous and rich, while showing its youth in this way too. A mostly off-dry profile, with exceptional acidity and texturally quite smooth, the more you roll this around in your mouth. Immediately upon tasting this I was reminded of grape Lifesavers from when I was a kid, with a touch of blueberry and vanilla flavors. Mouthfilling and juicy, with compact tannins that become slightly more prominent on the finish. The aftertaste of mint lingers long and some youthful alcohol lets you know that this wine needs another decade to really come forth and deliver its potential. 95 Points (2005-12-07)
1994 Dow Vintage Port
Inky purplish-ruby color and fully opaque. Offering violets and grape fragrances that are intense and vibrant. I like to think that my presence at Bomfim during the growing season had something to do with the greatness of this VP. My own delusions of grandeur. A powerful young wine with gripping ripe tannins and crisp acidity that provides the symmetrical backdrop for the bright blackberry and plum fruit. An iconic Dow VP that will be best somewhere in around 2025. Earlier estimates by some pundits are merely a fantasy. 13,000 cases produced. 95 Points (2005-11-11)
here, and for awhile, was one of the reasons I did not visit for nearly six months. Glad to be back.
) and I’m wondering why you’d tong a young bottle.