Dow's "Senhora da Ribeira" Single-Quinta Vintage Port 2015

94 Points Decanter

A small estate in the Douro Superior that has long formed part of Dow’s vintage blend. Deep, brooding aroma; initially rich and succulent with ripe plum and berry fruit compote, well-structured with a big, bold and rather austere, dry but powerful tannic finish. Typically Dow in style, works well in a super-ripe year like this.

One of the classic Douro riverside quintas, Senhora da Ribeira was acquired by George Warre for Dow’s in 1890. Since then, Senhora da Ribeira has been a fundamental component of Dow’s Vintage Ports. A small chapel dedicated to the ‘Lady of the River’ (literally Senhora da Ribeira) has stood on the site for centuries and gave the quinta its name. 

Senhora da Ribeira is set in the remote, hot, dry Douro Superior and commands a magnificent position on the north bank, overlooking a broad sweep of the Douro River, directly opposite Quinta do Vesúvio. Andrew James Symington and his family loved to walk in the ruggedly beautiful hill country around Senhora da Ribeira, having travelled upriver from Bomfim by train and boat, a tradition kept alive by his descendants .

The Senhora da Ribeira wines are made at the property’s specialist winery where the grapes are trodden and fermented in modern lagares.

The Senhora da Ribeira vineyard