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Dows Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira 2023 Vintage Port is a Single Quinta Vintage Port, one of two that Dow’s bottles along with Quinta do Bomfim. Whereas Quinta do Bomfim is generally released after having been aged 10 years or so in Dow’s cellars, Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira is released alongside the main Dow’s Vintage Port.
“Our ability to maximise the potential of the 2023 conditions depended on a well-planned picking schedule, agile teams, and favourable weather. Our reward is these beautifully balanced 2023 Quinta Vintage Ports, which represent the finest expression of the year – terroir-driven Quinta Vintage Ports with great ageing potential.”
Charles Symington, Head Winemaker
Dows is one of the most famous names in the Port trade and is owned and managed by the fourth generation of the Symington family. The family, whose experience dates back over 100 years, supervises all the vineyards, winemaking and ageing of this wine. Dows acquired Quinta Senhora da Ribeira and Quinta do Bomfim in 1890 and 1896 respectively which made it one of the first Port firms to invest in their own, premium vineyards.
Senhora da Ribeira is located 24km (15 miles) upriver from Quinta do Bomfim in the remote Douro Superior. The vineyard commands a magnificent north bank position, overlooking a broad sweep of the Douro, directly opposite another famous Symington-owned vineyard: Quinta do Vesuvio. Senhora da Ribeira’s wines are some of the finest in the Douro and they complement those from Bomfim in the composition of Dow’s classic Vintage Ports.
The Quinta’s high proportion of old vines (45% are over 25 years old) is of critical importance. The old vines are very low-yielding, producing on average less than 1 kg of grapes each, giving intense and concentrated musts which are ideal for classic Vintage Port. The remainder of the vineyard was replanted as follows: 21% in 2001 and 34% in 2004, the latter involving mainly Touriga Nacional vines. The best Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca were fermented in the estates lagares together with some Sousão, producing a Port of exceptionally intense, purple-black colour with complex, fine tannins and balanced acidity.
Winter rainfall in 2023 reversed the 2022 drought, replenishing soil moisture, while late spring rains in May and June supported vine ripening. Despite a dry, mild early 2023, Portugal’s Douro region enjoyed near-normal July temperatures, avoiding Europe’s summer heatwaves. Adequate soil moisture and moderate temperatures fostered balanced acidity, maturation, and phenolic development. Early September rain aided the vintage, with picking under ideal conditions in the first half of the month. While mid-September rains impacted later-ripening grapes, most top vineyard parcels were harvested earlier, yielding exceptional wines.
Wine Specification
Alcohol by volume: 20 %
Acidity: 4.30 g/l (tartaric acid)
Baume: 3.75 °
pH: 3.65
Allergens: Sulphites
Vegetarian: Yes
Year of Bottling: 2025
Winemakers: Charles Symington and Ricardo Carvalho
Grape Varieties
43% Touriga Nacional
38% Touriga Franca
11% Sousao
8% Alicante Bouschet
Dows Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira 2023 Vintage Port
From Dow’s Port:
Quite marked violet aromas with a touch of orange blossom and Mediterranean shrub with kirsch and blackberry notes completing the bouquet. On the palate, simultaneously full and silky. Luxurious mouthfeel with sumptuous black fruit and ripened, velvety tannins.
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