1999 Dow's Senhora da Ribeira Vintage Port

[John Sel]

At 4 hours after decanting. Colour very dark red: very slight paleness at the rim, followed by a band of red (no attenuation) and shading to black at the core. Gently spicy on the nose with hints of eucalyptus. Open and accessible on the palate with bright, youthful fruit. The good concentration of sweet ripe fruit is supported by good acidity and relatively gentle tannin. Some treacly notes developing on the palate. Overall, this has the weight of a fine wine, more of a caress than a bludgeon. Altogether a very amiable vintage port which is open for business now. While it does not have the intensity you look for in the better names of generally declared years, there is plenty to enjoy without having to think too hard. As such, a very good example of a single quinta vintage port which is probably best drunk in the short to medium term while the fruit retains its youthful freshness. There is a softness at the centre of this wine which does not suggest a potential for long term development. 89 points.