2022 Dow Senhora da Ribeira

[Alex Bridgeman]

Maroon in colour with a narrow rim. Surprisingly closed on the nose with only a little lavender emerging from the glass. Marked acidity on the palate, but combining well with fragrant fruit and delightful ripe tannins. The acidity keeps the fruit bright, but doesn't hide the wonderful floral character of the ripe fruit, the floral tones providing a lovely complexity to the palate. Surprising grip on the aftertaste reveals just how powerful the tannins are, but the wine has been put together with such mastery that the harmony to the wine runs right through to the end of the very long multi-faceted black damson finish. Truly outstanding. Day 1. 93-95/100. Tasted 23-Aug-2024.