Quinta do Vale Meão Red 2013

The 2013 Tinto (the Estate, flagship red here) is a blend of 58% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 5% Tinta Barroca and 2% Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in 225-liter Allier barriques (80% new and 20% second use). It comes in at 14% alcohol. Adding a layer of concentration and more power to the Meandro, its sibling reviewed this issue, this has a wonderfully elegant feel, while adding some surprising pop and power to the gripping and lingering finish. Let's not forget the part where it provides wonderful intensity of flavor on the finish. It's just delicious this year, without ever being candied, sweet or obvious. Subtle at times, yet intense and persistent, this perfectly balanced beauty should hold well. It has some things to prove in the cellar, but it should develop well. As time goes on, I'm expanding drinking windows, but let's remain a little on the conservative side. Sourced from vines averaging 45 years in age, there were 2,050 cases produced.

A polished and suave style, with a Burgundian allure, featuring lively acidity behind the raspberry, dried blackberry and dark plum flavors. Lengthens out nicely on the muscular finish, showing plenty of cream and spice hints. Drink now through 2022. 2,050 cases made, 305 cases imported.

This wine is dominated by Touriga Nacional, which offers a backbone of dark tannins that gives it a firm structure and will allow it to age for many years. Produced in open stone lagares, it has richness and impressive opulence in black fruit tones that are cut by juicy acidity. Drink from 2022.

Deep cherry colour with purple rim. Smells sweeter than the 2012 and 2011. Dark, and really much darker than the Meandro 2013. Dry and rocky but juicy too, more fluid than the 2012. Very young. Texture less dry than that of the 2011 and 2012, lifted by very good freshness and fluidity. Supple already.