Dow's : Senhora da Ribeira 2019

The structure and aromatic richness of an exceptional Vintage Port

The estate

Based in Porto, in north-western Portugal, Dow’s is one of the finest houses producing Duriense wines of distinction. In 1798, Bruno Da Silva, a Portuguese merchant from Porto, settled in London to sell wines imported from his native country. Through his marriage to a British woman, Bruno Da Silva quickly became part of London society and built up his fine wine business. He even became the only merchant granted the right to ship his goods under his own armed protection. He later went into partnership with James Ramsay Dow in 1877, and Dow’s became the brand name of this historic Port house. In 1961, the entire estate passed into the hands of the Symington family.

The vineyard

Senhora da Ribeira, meaning “The Lady of the River”, comes from the Senhora da Ribeira vineyard, located 24 km upstream from Quinta do Bomfim, in the remote Douro Superior region. The vineyard enjoys a magnificent position on the north bank, overlooking the Douro, directly opposite another famous Symington-owned vineyard: Quinta do Vesuvio. Here, the old vines produce very low yields, averaging less than one kilo of grapes each, resulting in intense, concentrated musts that are ideal for classic Vintage Ports. Touriga Nacional accounts for nearly a third of the vineyard, which has been awarded the top “A” grade.

The wine

Senhora da Ribeira is a Quinta that has belonged to Dow’s since 1890.

The vintage

2019 was a vintage shaped by unusual weather. A very dry winter and spring were followed by a very cool summer punctuated by spells of rain, allowing the grapes to reach perfect ripeness.

Winemaking

This Vintage Port, Dow's Senhora da Ribeira 2019, is made in one of the most advanced specialist wineries in the Douro, combining the best of traditional winemaking practices, refined over the centuries, with the latest state-of-the-art automated systems. At the heart of the estate, three granite lagares for foot-treading are complemented by three robotic lagares, designed by the Symington family and installed in the Quinta’s winery in 2001.

Blend

Dow’s Senhora da Ribeira 2019 is crafted from a Port blend.

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour is
deep and intense.

Nose
The nose combines fragrances of
violet and rose.

Palate
Intense on the palate, it charms with notes of black fruit and a lovely freshness, supported by fruity tannins that lend balance and structure.

Ageing potential

Already approachable, Senhora da Ribeira 2019 will reveal its true character from 2030 onwards and can be cellared until 2050 to develop its full aromatic richness.