TN: 1998 Dow's Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 1 hour - Situated on the bank of the Douro opposite Vesuvio, contributing wines to the Dow blend since the 1890's. Plum red colour, red tears sticking to the sides of the glass. Strong nose lifting beautifully out of the glass - blackcurrants, vanilla and a touch of mint. Dry entry, a leathery edge and then a blackberry fruit wave around a slightly harsh acidic structure. Tannins come through on the midpalate eventually but the acidity dominates the structure of the wine. The immediate aftertaste burns and slowly fades to be replaced by a blackberry / chocolate sensation that lasts a good and surprising time. Not a wine to my taste; it might integrate better given more time but I worry about that acidity. On the Tom scale, this is certainly bottom quartile and probably in the bottom 5% of wines to my taste and I don't know if it will improve. Perhaps it will so I'll give it 0/1. 84 points