Douro Vintage Port
2017
While Quinta do Vale Meão only began bottling under its own label in 1999, the estate has an incredible history. Vale Meão was one of the shrewd acquisitions of the celebrated Douro landowner Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira. In 1877 she purchased 270 hectares of land near Vila Nova de Foz Côa in the Upper Douro, and over the course of the next decade established a model winery, planting all the vineyards from scratch. The Quinta remained in the family and is owned today by Francisco Javier...
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Having the harvest started earlier, it also ended a few days before the usual dates, with the last grapes being received on September 20th. Although the year was hot and dry, the plants resisted well to the extreme dryness recorded, keeping the foliage in good condition until the harvest.
This Vintage Port is a result of a meticulous selection of the best grapes each year and is made up of more than 10 grape varietals, Touriga Franca being dominant. After crushing, the grape must is cooled. Fermentation takes place spontaneously and brandy is added. The wine is then aged in oak barrels and is bottled after 22 months.
Rich aromas, extraordinary intensity and concentration, all balanced by a fresh persistence and exceptional complexity.
While this vintage was not generally declared by all producers, it has resulted in some very fine Ports from the great quintas. This is grandiloquently rich, layering thick tannins with dense black fruits. The texture is full and outwardly rounded—the result of the stone lagar fermentation—but underneath it is impressively structured.
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Ripe with succulent black fruits, this wine is also immensely structured by a core of solid tannins. Bright acidity gives the essential contrast to this power and contributes to its great aging potential.
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An initial impression of open fruits soon gives way to the firmness of seriously ageworthy tannins. This Port has an impressive structure and dark fruits that leave it on the dry side. It has so much potential for long-term aging.
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Juicy and wiry, with tension in its display of raspberry, blackberry and plum pâte de fruit notes thanks to riveting underlying acidity, this drives along with great cut, ending with a flourish of anise, bramble and juniper. Feels pretty tight too, so bank on this needing a little extra time. Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela and Sousão.
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Vivid and energetic, featuring a mix of raspberry, plum, fig and blueberry fruit that gives this a kaleidoscopic feel, as violet, singed sandalwood, chai spice and alder notes skitter through. Grippy but fresh, with the acidity playing a prominent role, allowing the fruit to ripple along on the finish.
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This gets your attention, with ebullient açai, blueberry and plum fruit aromas and flavors. Light, brambly grip is well-embedded throughout, while hints of melted licorice and milk and baker's chocolate fill in. Shows rock-solid grip through the finish.
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