1998 Dow's Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira Vintage Port

[John Sel]

On decanting: dark red with blackish tinge. Slight paleness at the rim where there is a hint of purple. Sustained rich dark fruit on the nose with underlying spice. Full, warm and round on the palate with lots of up-front sweet ripe fruit, underpinned by gentle acidity and reasonable tannic grip. At 2 hours: fragrance amplified (real nose-tingler) and the sinews of the wine are becoming more apparent on the palate. Darker fruit notes are emerging and the finish is increasingly grippy, the framework being overlaid with a lovely quality of fruit. At 24 hours (wine kept in stoppered decanter at 16C): pleasing integration of fruit and spice on the nose with more obvious depth of dark fruit flavour on the palate, the up-front fruitness having subsided. Great drinkability about this wine, though there is a softness at its heart which does not at this stage suggest great longevity. Probably best to drink over the next few years. 91.

[Roy Hersh]

Thanks for your note, John. I don't know why there is not more said about 1998. From what I've tasted, it is a solid vintage. I especially like the Warre's Quinta da Cavadinha from this unheralded vintage.

[John Sel]

Hi Roy, the Cavadinha 1998 hasn't come my way yet, but, following your comment about the vintage, I've taken a look at the Vesuvio from that year. It's also very good. Tasting note to follow.

[Roy Hersh]

I like the Vesuvio as well, albeit in a vertical tasting, it can't hold a candle to the 1997 that came right before it. Nonetheless, a very solid Vesuvio!