Dow's : Senhora da Ribeira 2019

This is dark and rich with blackcurrants, blackberries, chocolate, cedar and tar on offer. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a velvety texture. A deep, succulent dark-fruit backbone with a medium-sweet, crunchy mid-palate. Lingering, chalky finish. Still tight. Try after 2026.

Tasted directly against the Vintage Port from the opposite Quinta do Vesuvio: surprisingly elegant red-berry fruit on the nose, fine structure, blueberry, violet and cassis. On the palate, noticeable tannins, fine acidity and fresh, floral fruit notes with blueberry, bilberry, strawberry and black cherry. Long, multi-layered finish.

The 2019 Quinta de Senhora da Ribeira Vintage Port, Dow's Douro Superior Quinta, is a 53/26 blend of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional with 21% Sousão. Bottled in May 2021, it comes in with 100 grams per liter of residual sugar. Even more aromatic than its sibling, the Bomfim this issue, this is also more textured, more caressing on the palate. It is just as tight as the Bomfim, perhaps tighter, but it does seem to open faster. It also seems more precise and more seductive today. This is being released now, unlike the Bomfim, which will not be released for 10 years, part of the Symingtons' familiar late-release program. At the moment, I'd take this, which might today be my favorite of the 2019 Symington Ports this issue. There were 985 cases produced.