2018 and 1998 Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira Part 1/2

 Text Christer Byklum, photo Symington's and Christer Byklum

How fun to have two wines with 20 years between them, I will taste and write about the same two vintages of Quinta do Vesuvio shortly. Today, Dow’s single quinta, Senhora da Ribeira. It is strange, in today’s world were terroir has become the number one selling point of fine wine, that some people still regard a vintage port finer than the single quinta vintage ports. Yes, they are blends of all the best grapes, at least that is the idea, yet areas like Barolo and Barbaresco are splitting up old blends and have made single vineyard or single commune wines on a different scale the last decades as they feel terroir shows more.

I actually tend to find the same with single quinta vintage port. Maybe some of them lack some of the power and brute force, but as a keen driver, I hat power is not all. Handling and brakes are maybe even more important, but many details make a car. And many details make a wine. And I tend to find that single quinta’s show terroir and details a bit more and sometimes quite a bit more than some vintage ports. I will be opening Vesuvio and taste them side by side the two below, and also follow them over a few days as I actually tend to find a day of air (standing cool, with a cork in a fridge) tend to open younger ports up quite a bit. I know, some say you need to drink these quickly, but I actually tasted a quite impressive 2011 Vintage bottle that had been opened in November just the other day, top fruit gone, but what a remarkable texture and structure still.

Only 25 hectares of vineyards out of 43,5 hectares for the entire estate, means our Lady of the river, and has been in the family since 1912. Predominantly south-east and east facing and 105 to 420 meters of altitude. Souzao and Alicante Bouchet co-fermented for the first time in the 2018. But also only a smaller part of the blend. This property is just across the river more or less from Quinta do Vesuvio. The 2014 is 45% Touriga Franca, 40 Touriga Nacional, 15% co fermented Alicante Bouchet and Souzao. They feel you get a better marriage between the varieties if you co-ferment.

2018 Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira

Kr 699,90, 180 flasker tilgjengelig

Deep ruby. Rich, dark fruity, blueberries and blackberries nose, just dense, intense and impressive. High notes of floral notes and a whiff of mint. A mineral touch beneath, which is similar but at this stage much more subdued than in the 1998 below. Superb nose. Fresh acidity, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, smooth, detailed and intense, beautifully balanced, incredibly smooth, long.94

1998 Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira

Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, dark fruits, staring dates, anise, floral notes behind, detailed nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, rich and intense, playful, a touch of granite minerals behind, lovely balance, rounded and smooth with two hours of air, long. 94

Below, link to a short video from the beautiful estate with additional info. And take a look. Few places can match Douro in beauty!

Big thank you to Symington's and the Norwegian importer to set up a tasting and shipping out samples with a great video conference like this during these Covid-19 times.

Douro Boys tasting August 2016

2014 Niepoort Fabelaktig Red
Ruby. Red and darker berries nose. Light floral and anise note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, soft. 82

2014 Quinta do Vallado Douro Red
Ruby. Raspberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spoces, liquorice. 82

2013 Rufo Vale D. Maria Douro Red
Ruby. Some spices, dark fruits, fruit stone nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lighter, red berries, anise. 81

2013 Qunita do Crasto Superior Red
Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices nose. Touch of dried fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, rounded, more structured finish. 85

2013 Quinta do Vale Meão Meandro Red
Ruby. Dark berries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries and spices, some cherries. 84

2014 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional Douro Red
Ruby. Dark fruits, cherries, anise and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, juicy, spices, good length. 88

2012 Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro Red
Ruby. Dark berries, morellos, vanilla and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense wood and spices, bitter. 86

2013 Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Red
Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, vanilla and herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, spices, dark berries finish. 87

2013 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines
Ruby. Dark fruits, spices and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, spices, red fruits. 87

2011 Niepoort Batuta
Ruby. Dark berries, some spices, vanilla, liquorice, Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, raisins, spices, coffee, bitter notes, quite woody, long. 91

2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Meandro White
Watery lemon yellow. Some grapefruits, apples, light smoky note nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, minerals, bergamot and lemons. 88

2015 Quinta do Vallado Prima Douro White
Watery lemon yellow. Floral, grapey nose. Freshish acidity, ripe, fruity, easy going. 83

2015 Quinta Vale D. Maria VVV Valleys Douro White
Barrel sample. Somewhat cloudy pale lemon yellow. Vanilla, popcorn, butter and apples nose. Freshish acidity, smoky, apples and citrus behind. 83

2014 Niepoort Redoma White
Watery lemon yellow. Vanilla, spices and smoky notes nose, apples and citrus. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded texture, light bitter touch. 85

2014 Quinta do Crasto Superior White
Watery lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, vanilla, light spices notes, minerals. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples, minerals, vanilla, good length. 87

2011 Quinta do Crasto LBV Unfiltered Port
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, spices, juicy nose, dark berries and liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, dark berries, rounded body and texture, long. 90

2009 Quinta Vale D. Maria Vintage Port
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries, some spices, lacks a bit of concentration, good length. 88

2013 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port

AUG 16 Deep ruby. Blackberries, spices, white chocolate, blueberries nose, intense.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, blueberries, cinnamon and a touch of mint, long. 92

Quinta do Vallado Tawny Port 20 years old
Amber. Rich, dried fruits, intense, opulent nose, detailed. Slight nutty note far behind. Fresh acidity, dried fruits, spices, elegant texture if somewhat drying finish to be picky. Long. 92

Niepoort 30 years old Tawny Port
Amber with orange hue. Candied citrus, dried apricots, some raisins, almost a faint vanilla note, seductive nose, scented and refined. Fresh acidity, fruity, dried apricots and raisins, some nuts, almost minerals finish, long. 94

Banfi and Kopke tasting

Banfi Brut Metodo Tradizionale Classico
Kr 214,90
Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose, some yeast and yellow fruits. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, leaner, sweetish. 84

2015 Banfi La Pettegola Vermentino
Kr 169,90
Pale lemon yellow. Fruity nose, some nuts, faint thyme note nose. Fresh acidity, lemons, creamy, fruity and rounded. Ripe yellow apples. 84

2015 Banfi Centine Bianco
Kr 149,90
Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, some spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, fresh,f ruity, apples, minerals, lighter finish. 84

2015 Banfi Rivo al Poggio (Engelen Gabriel for julesesongen)
Kr 129,90
Bright ruby. Light red fruity nose. Freshish acidity, soft tannins, soft, lean, totally without any personality. For those who doesn't really like wine. Sweetish. 79

2014 Banfi Centine Rosso
Kr 149,90
Bright ruby. Red fruits, some anise, touch of herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe and soft tannins, fruity if leaner, polished. 82

2014 Banfi Rosso di Montalcino
Kr 214,90
Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, light anise note and a touch of floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, elegant texture, good length. 87

2012 Banfi Cum Laude
Kr 239,90
Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, spices, some vanilla nose, cherries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, red fruity, good length. 89

2011 Banfi Belnero
Kr 229,90
Ruby. Scented, fruity, cassis, blueberries, some floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, some darker notes and anise, good length. 89

2011 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
Kr 394,90
Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, some anise and cherries, fruity, some violets and anise. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cresh,f ruity, red berries, anise, cherries, some vanilla, long. Touch warm finish. 91

2009 Banfi Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino
Kr 499,90
Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, vanilla, liquorice, quite intense nose, cherries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, dark berries, some spices, leather, cherries and anise finish. Long. 93

2007 Banfi Poghio all'Oro Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Kr 1099,90
Ruby, thin garnet rim. Plums, figs, cherries, anise, some spices, intense nose, some alcohol notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich and fruity, spices, liquorice, alcohol shows up, warm finish. Long. 93

2012 Banfi Summus
Kr 439,90
Ruby. Ripe, dark fruity nose, spices, plums, blackberries, anise, quite intense nose, some scented notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, rich, leaner palate with alcohol showing, long. 90

2015 Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui
Kr 159,90
Red. Red berries, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, red berries, refreshing. 82

2012 Banfi Florus Moscadello di Montalcino
Kr 249,90
Golden. Rich yellow fruity nose, apricots. Fresh acidity, fruity, ripe, rich, apricots, intense. Lacks complexity. 85


Kopke Christmas Ruby Reserve
Kr 232,90
Ruby. Red berries, fruity, some anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, dried fruits, ripe, dried fruits, some spices. 85

2011 Kopke LBV
Kr 265,90
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, rich and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, fruits, some spices, ripe and rich, intense, just a wealth of fruit at this stage, long. 90

2010 Kopke Quinta de São Luiz Vintage Port
Kr 344,90
Almost black. Rich, fruity, spices, dark fruits, massive nose, intense, leaps out of the glass. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, fruity, detailed, red berries and spices, refreshing, very elegant and pure and smooth finish, long. 95-96

2011 Kopke Vintage
Kr 436,90
Almost black. Ripe, rich, fruity nose, some anise, intense and layered, faint floral note, detailed, pure fruits, violets. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries and spices, rich and intense, long, some cherries and fruit stones, long. 95

Kopke White 10 Years Old Port
Kr 399,90
Amber. Dried fruits, some apricots and almost salty nutty note nose. Fresh acidity, dried fruits, some apricots and lemons, salty nuts note. Elegant. 88

Kopke White 30 Years Old Port
Kr 639,90
Amber. Dried fruits, raisins, dried apricots, some nuts, intense, touch of marzipan nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, nutty, salty, dried yellow fruits, some raisins and dates, elegant and nuanced, creamy finish, long. 93

2003 Kopke Colheita
Amber with ruby hue. Dried fruits, touch of caramel, nuts, detailed, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, minerals, apples and lemons, dried fruits, elegant and smooth. 91

2002 Kopke Colheita
Amber with ruby hue. Dried fruits, some red fruits, apricots, some almonds nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, elegant and nuanced, leaner, focused, elegant minerals and salty notes, long. 90

2001 Kopke Colheita
Amber, red hue. Floral, red berries notes, dried apricots, touch of chocolate and nuts nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apricots, elegant and nuanced, smooth. 89

2000 Kopke Colheita
Deep amber. Dried fruits, some spices, some almonds and nuts, elegant. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, minerals, some salty notes and nuts, drier finish. 89

1999 Kopke Colheita
Amber, faint garnet hue. Dried fruits, some raisins, light spices note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, somewhat drier finish, good length. 89

1975 Kopke Colheita
Kr 802,90
Bottled 2016. Bright amber, golden rim. Dried fruits, some spices, apricots, sultanas, some citrus peel, touch of orange marmalade, some lemons nose, marzipan and a faint chocolate touch. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, dried fruits, elegant marzipan, dried fruits, rounded, smooth and elegant, nuanced, refreshing and long. Beautiful balance. Touch spicy finish. 95

1966 Kopke Colheita
Kr 1483,90
Bottled in 2016. Amber, golden hue. Dried fruits, some apricots, raisins, some, some marzipan, fruity and elegant, somewhat tighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, detailed and nuanced, some salty notes, almonds, pistachios, dried fruits, long finish. 95

1957 Kopke Colheita
Kr 1866,-
Deeper amber, golden hue. Dried fruits, some apricots, some nuts, intense, leaps out of the glass, marzipan, citrus nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, dried fruits, citrus, minerals, peach, apricots, sultanas, superb balance, very long. Stunning bottle. 96

Port and Madeira tasting

Har vært publisert på Vinmonopolets nyheter før alle andre på facebook.

Graham's Extra Dry White
Kr 185,-
Pale golden. Some yellow fruits, light apply nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, touch of nuts, minerals, good length. 86

Graham's Six Grapes Reserve
Kr 219,90
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries and blueberries nose, rich, some chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, sweet, dark berries, elegant texture, good length. 88

2003 Smith Woodhouse LBV late release unfiltered
Kr 269,90
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, dark berries, light smoky note, blackberries, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, intense, liquorice, long. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. 90

1977 Gould Campbell Vintage Port
Magnum. Bottled 1979. Ruby. Red berries, some cherries, light chocolate note nose, almost a touch floral. Fresh acidity, few tannins, bright red fruits, some dark chocolate, smooth texture, long. 92

1985 Warre's Vintage
Kr 890,-
Ruby with garnet rim. Some red berries, some chocolate, minty notes, detailed, bit more subdued nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins polishing off, dark fruits, some chocolate and mint again, light bitter note, long. 91

1991 Graham's Vintage
Ruby. Blackberries, mulberries, some chocolate, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, some spices, blackberries, elegant balance and body, long. 93

2000 Gould Campbell Vintage
Kr 450,-
Ruby. Dark berries, fruity, some spices and anise, faint almost tobacco like note and starting figs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity, almost playful, delicate and fresh acidity, lovely fruit, long. 93

2000 Smith Woodhouse Vintage
Kr 450,-
Ruby. Dark fruits, some spices, mint, starting figs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, some spices, elegant texture, detailed, long. 92

2003 Dow's Vintage
Kr 669,-
Deep ruby. Spices, blackberries, liquorice, rich and intense nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, some spices, intense and juicy, structure, long and sweet finish. 94

2004 Dow's Quinta do Bomfim Vintage
Kr 185,- halvflaske
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, ripe blackberries, blueberries, some liquorice, very fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,d ark berries and mint palate, some chocolate, rich yet lovely balance, long. 94

2007 Smith Woodhouse Vintage
Kr 450,-
Deep ruby. Dark fruits, some spicy notes, blackberries, fruity, bit tight nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, dark berries, intense, juicy, even so bit tight and introvert, needs a few years cellaring still. 94

2012 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage
Kr 525,-
9000 bottles made. Towards black. Dark fruits, some spices, blackberries, intense nose, layered, deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, intense, rich, balanced, long. 94

2013 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage
Kr 545,-
9000 bottles made. Towards black. Dark fruits, ripe, fruity, intense, blackberries and blueberries, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, fruity, juicy, sweet, intense, long finish, firm. 95

Madeira

Cossart Gordon 5 Years Old Verdelho
Kr 109,90
Pale golden. Light nutty note, some dried fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe notes, some dried fruits, quite fresh. 84

Cossart Gordon 5 Years Old Malmsey
Kr 139,90
Gold with amber rim. Some nutty notes, raisins and touch of caramel nose. Fresh acidity, leaner palate, quite fresh and somewhat sweet 84

Blandy's 10 Years Old Sercial
Kr 245,-
Pale amber. Some dried fruits, raisins and some nuts, lighter nose. Fresh acidity. Fresh, minerals, light smoky and nutty note, good length. 87

Blandy's 10 Years Old Bual
Kr 245,-
Amber, golden rim. Some dried fruits, light apricots and raisins nose. Fresh acidity, sweet fruity palate, leaner body but fairly intense, good length. 88

1975 Cossart Gordon Verdelho Vintage
Kr 1499,-
Amber with yellow green rim. Some nuts, dried fruits, almost smoky notes, some raisins, give it air to open. Fresh acidity, fruity, detailed, rich, intense, leaner palate body wise but intense and almost smoky. Long finish. 91

1969 Blandy's Bual Vintage
Kr 1945,-
Amber, green hue. Intense nose, some dried fruits, raisins, dried apricots, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe, fruity, dried fruits, playful, refreshing, intense, lively, detailed, very long. 94

Borgogno Barolo Chinato
Kr 365,- 0,5 liter
Garnet with golden rim. Spices, some cherries, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, medicinal, kinin, layered. Fresh acidity, bitter kinin, some fruits, lots of herbs and medicinal, long. 90

86 Latour, 2011 Taylor's, 97 Salon 93 Disznoko Eszencia and much more

2005 Nicolas Fuillatte Brut
Strågul med små bobler. Epler, mineraler, gjær, fruktig duft. Frisk syre, fruktig, epler, avrundet, snill, litt gulfruktig, litt kort. 88

2008 Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
Lyst strågul, små bobler. Epler, mineraler, fruktig, detaljert, noe sitrus på duft. Frisk syre, elegant mousse, fruktig, grønne og gule epler, delikat, flott balanse, lang. 90

2007 Salon
Lyst strågul, ørsmå bobler. Mineraler, gjær, epler, detaljert, nyansert, lag på lag på duft, nyansert. Frisk syre, elegant mousse, nydelig balanse, raffinert, detaljert, frisk, elegant, lang finish. 94

1998 Jean-Marc Brochard Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre
Lyst gullfarget. Epler, smør, mineraler, stål, østers og sjø. Frisk syre, epler, sitron, mineraler, noe oksiderte epler og nøtter, litt "butt" i utrykket, pen lengde. 89

2005 Patrice Rion Charmes-Chambertin
Lyst rubinrød. Røde bær, parfymert, noe vanilje, detaljert, erlgant og raffinert duft, flørtende selv om fatene trenger noe mer tid for å integreres. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, frisk, livlig, elegant, røde bær, igjen kommer fatene noe godt frem, gi den noen år til. Denne var to timer på karaffel. 93

1985 Château Clerc Milon
Rubinrød med tynn tegl kant. Lær, lakris, parfymert, fiken, dadler, intens duft. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, begynner å bli avslepen og bløtere, fiken, dadler, lær, lang men en ørliten metallisk tone langt bak. 92

1986 Château Latour
Rubinrød. Parfymert, detaljert, konsentrert, solbær, lær, tobakk, ungdommelige toner og mer utviklet, lag på lag. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, fruktig, intens, konsentrert, detaljert, leken, solbær og fiken, lang finish. 96

1988 Parroco di neive Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina
Litt tåkete rubinrød med tegl kant. Lær, tobakk, kirsebær, noe støv, intens duft. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, rik frukt om noe hul, lang men noe tynn. 89

1999 Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche
Rubinrød meg tegl kant. Tjære, roser, mørke bær, rik og intens duft, intens parfyme, lær, dyp. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, rik, fruktig, intens, lag på lag, dyp og rik, litt alkoholisk finish. Heftig. 92-93

1993 Disznoko Tokaji Aszu Eszencia
Orange with brown hue. Rich, intense, some caramel, raisins, almonds, dark and deep nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, sweet, playful, detailed, intense and long. 94

1988 Château Raymond Lafon
Amber. Burnt, caramel, raisins, intense nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, ripe, intense, leaner, dried apricots, some burnt notes but not as much as on the nose. Most 88's have lost the bitterness they had a few years ago, this one still has it. Hope it loose it. 88

1996 Château Leret Monpezat
Dyprød. Mørke bær, noe kaffe, dadler og fiken. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, rustikk, kirsebærstein, sursøt, intens, ikke helt balansert. Mørk og brent. 84

2001 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Beerenauslese
Gylden. Aprikoser, gule epler, mineraler, detaljert duft. Frisk syre, balansert, epler, fruktig, elegant men kunne hatt mer nyanser, lang. 92

2011 Taylor's Vintage Port
Dyprød. Rik og intens, mørke bær, fruktig, sødmefull, bjørnebær, noe krydder, lag på lag, besnærende duft. Frisk syre, modne tanniner, rik, intens, sødmefull frukt, plenty med mørke bær, noe krydder, lang finish. Begynner å lukke ned. 97