Douro Meandro Tinto 2018

QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO

Douro Meandro Tinto
2018

$49.12*

* Suggested retail price

Out of stock

Product code
6504
Format
12 x 750ml
Listing type
Private Retail - Special Order
Status
Unavailable
Type of product
Still wine
Country
Portugal
Regulated designation
Denominação de origem controlada (DOC)
Region
Douro
Appellation
Douro
Varietal(s)
Touriga Nacional 60 %
Touriga Franca 35 %
Tinta Roriz 2 %
Tinta barroca 3 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Closure type
Cork
Producer's website

About this winery

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...

See the QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO detail page for more information on this brand

Production notes

After being crushed, the grapes were cooled down and trodden by foot during four hours in granite lagares and then transferred to small-refrigerated stainless steel vinifying vats. In this vintage approximately 10% of the wines fermented with stems. Each grape variety and vineyard is vinified separately. The final blend is only made before bottling. All the wine was matured in French Allier oak barriques (225 litres), 45% new and 55% second usage.

Tasting notes

Very concentrated in colour. Deep and complex nose with lots of aromatic nuances, yet maintaining the balance between them. In the mouth it is vibrant, in a set of great elegance, showing an excellent integration of the wood, a surprisingly large variety of flavours, and a very long aftertaste.

Press reviews

 Wine Enthusiast

- 93 points -

March 2021 (Vintage 2018)

This wine is named after the majestic oxbow bend taken by the Douro river around the Meão estate. It is richly structured and with no concessions to immediate softness. It needs to age to bring its black fruits into full harmony with the structure.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 92 points -

Editors' Choice

April 2020 (Vintage 2017)

The second wine of the great Vale Meão estate in the Douro Superior, this is impressive in itself. A lifted violet note permeates the rich berry fruit. It is a rich, concentrated wine that should age further.

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Wine Spectator

- 92 points -

April 2021 (Vintage 2018)

Nicely textured, with smooth tannins, this elegant, full-bodied red is packed with dark cherry, violet, red plum and anise notes that are harmonious and well-integrated. Details of mocha, wild herb and spice cascade onto the finish. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Alicante Bouschet.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 92 points -

July 2022 (Vintage 2019)

Named after the vast meander taken by the Douro river around the estate, this wine is structured with polished signs of wood aging. The second wine from the property, it shows plenty of ripe black fruits and good concentration.

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Decanter

- 91 points -

September 2019 (Vintage 2017)

Vinous red and black fruits, with a touch of bake, but still fleshy and motile. With bergamot lift, bitter chocolate and dynamic tannins, it has good structure, drive and intensity.

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James Suckling

- 91 points -

February 2023 (Vintage 2020)

Currants, blackberries, mulberries, olives and dried herbs on the nose. Some salty undertones. It’s medium-bodied with ripe, creamy tannins. Lovely soft texture. 50% touriga nacional, 35% touriga franca, 10% tinta roriz, 4% tinta barroca and 1% alicante bouschet. .

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Wine Spectator

- 90 points -

May 2020 (Vintage 2017)

This wine shows good finesse and density to the boysenberry and ripe currant notes, detailed with savory spice, licorice and violet accents. Red plum and mocha hints chime in on the velvety finish. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Alicante Bouschet. 

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Wine Advocate

- 90 points -

July 2022 (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Meandro do Vale Meão is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Roriz and dollops of Tinta Barroca and Alicante Bouschet for the rest, all aged in used French oak for 14 months. It comes in at 14.2% alcohol. This was in bottle about a month when seen. In the tough vintage, this doesn't seem to miss a beat. It's fresh, understated, elegant and full of great fruit. It has ripe tannins for support and some ability to age too. Most of all, it's another nice bargain in this consistent brand.

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