TN: 2003 Quinta do Vale Meao Douro

[Jan-Tore Egge]

Quinta do Vale Meão 2003 (14+ % ABV)
A little darker than the previous wines. Sweeter on the nose. Obviously a bigger wine, but still fresh. Dark berries. Fresh in the mouth, too, with adequate acidity and quite noticeable tannins. Very appetizing, and very impressive, but so is the price.

(Vale Meão has been replanted in varietal blocks, the oldest being approximately 35 years. Fermentation is partly in lagares, partly in stainless steel, and there is some foot-treading, some robot-treading. Meandro sees less oak than the grand vin, none of it new, while the grand vin is matured in 50% new oak for 18 months. The first vintage was 1999; before that the grapes were used for Barca Velha. There is 40-60% touriga nacional plus tinta roriz and touriga franca. They're no too keen on tinta amarela.)

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