DOW

2015 Quinta Senhora da Ribeira

EN PRIMEUR

First up in our tasting and a real pleasure. Fascinating nose, lovely red fruit, perky plum and some pithy orange notes then spice too. In the mouth there's an explosion of joyous rich round fruit. Dark ripe and yet still pinned in, retaining elegance and some good flow. Fun and easy style, happy drinking.L&S (Aug 2017)

In Bond

75cl bottles (wood case of 6)

Duty Paid

75cl bottles (wood case of 6)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

From a small but magnificent estate in the Douro Superior, much of it south facing. This wine came from the old, inter-planted vineyards and relatively late picked Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca picked on 23rd and 30th September respectively. The grapes were foot trodden in the traditional manner in small granite lagares at the quinta. Very low yields: just 0.65 kg per vine. Deep, dense, brooding aromas, even after two days on ullage; seemingly rich and succulent initially with ripe plum and berry fruit compote, well-structured with a big, bold and rather austere, dry but powerful tannic finish. Foursquare. Very typically Dow in style, works well in a super-ripe vintage like this. 700 cases produced. Rating: 17 Richard Mayson, www.richardmayson.com  (Sept 2017)

Very dark purple even though 20% of the volume is colourless spirit! Rich, buttery nose with a hint of balsam. Some high-toned floral aromas too. Not that heavy or dense on the palate and very dry finish. Very Dow! Neat and long term. Drinking range: 2028 - 2042 Rating: 17.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Jul 2017)

Wonderfully aromatic with dark berry and stone character. Violets as well. Full to medium body. Precise and focused tannins. Lightly sweet. Ripe fruit and chocolate undertones. Firm and rich. 700 cases. Needs at least five years of bottle age. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2017)

Now owned by the Symington Family, Dow had an unusual beginning as in 1798 Portuguese merchant Bruno da Silva left Portugal and travelled to England, importing his wine over to sell. In 1862, Bruno's son John da Silva created a partnership with Frederick William Cosens and formed Silva & Cosens. The firm expanded and were eventually joined by another partner, George Acheson Warre. The company continued to thrive, and in 1877 merged with yet another port company, Dow & Co, headed by James Ramsey Dow. Silva & Cosens took on the highly respected Dow name, and simply traded under Dow & Co.

OFFER PRICES: These offer prices are valid only for the offer period (and while stocks last), after which the prices will revert to normal for any remaining stock.

VAT: Our pre-shipment offers do not include VAT on either the In Bond OR Duty Paid prices.

TO ORDER: Please email sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk, or call your usual shop or L&S contact.

DELIVERY: THIS IS A PRE-SHIPMENT OFFER and the wines will be delivered when they are shipped - subject to our usual terms.

BOND DELIVERIES: Please specify if you are ordering In Bond, together with your account details. All Bond orders will be subject to a £15 + VAT documentation and delivery charge, except for Elephant Storage account holders.