WINE ENTHUSIAST #9 TOP 100 CELLAR SELECTIONS 2020

Quinta do Vale Meao is one of the premier wineries in the Douro region. Proudly known as one of the “Douro Boys,” a name given to the top producers in Douro. Year-in-and-year-out Quinta do Vale Meao produces highly rated wines at reasonable prices. Only 22 cases of this 100 pt. wine (under $100 dollars) in stock!

Wine Enthusiast: 100 Points
This is the latest release from an estate that was founded in the 19th century by the legendary Dona Antónia Ferreira at a time when the upper Douro was almost inaccessible. This wine continues the line of magnificent wines created by her descendants. It is structured and dense yet poised. The rich dark fruit has melded with the tannins, although both will take much more time to fully develop. Drink 2023–2030.

Wine Spectator: 96 Points
A powerful yet elegant red, offering a finely crafted array of steeped cherry, ripe raspberry and baking spice flavors, interwoven with violet, toast and schistlike minerality. Sinewy tannins and tangy acidity offer a powerful and refined structure, along with herb and smoky details on the seamless finish. Should age nicely. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz. Best from 2022 through 2032. 2,400 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Wine Advocate: 95 Points
The 2017 Tinto is a 50/40 blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, with Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca filling out the blend, all aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 14% alcohol. This was last seen as an unbottled sample in Porto. It is now in bottle and in the USA. As this has settled in, it seemed a little less impressive-at first and on opening. A calling card here will be the intensity of fruit flavor. Yet, while it is certainly very ripe, it never seems jammy or sweet. It retains precision, and it becomes somewhat more complex as it airs out. The tannins are ripe enough so that this is actually approachable now, but there is some tannic pop, and this needs development. It would be a mistake to open it today. Come back around 2025 for better results. Yet it still seemed too understated on opening. In fact, the next day it seemed somewhat ordinary at first, ready to roll. I was wondering if it deserved more than a very low 90s score. Yet it woke up with an hour in the glass, gained weight and fruit flavor and coated the palate nicely. There were hints of seared beef and chocolate. Suddenly, it was mid-90s. As long as it was open, it kept getting better-and more powerful. It became impressive again. That’s a good sign. It remained accessible, but it became more interesting. Overall, this looks like a beauty. At the moment, I’d favor the 2016, but both still need to settle down. It will be interesting to revisit both when they have about another five years of age on them.