TN: 2004 Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro Douro

[Andy Velebil]

Found this bottle hiding at my local wine store today. Since I've never had one, of course I had to grab it and give it a go :) .

This is a medium bodied red that has a rather powerful nose of blackberries, graphite, some wood and earth. I've been sipping this for about 1.5 hours now and its picked up some weight on the palate during that time. The tannins on this are quite prominent on the palate and finish but its a little short on acidity to balance out those big tannins. The finish is only medium in length, but very attractive. This is one of those wines thats not a blockbuster in terms of a high score, yet when you finish your glass you will want more of it. I don't see this one aging for a long time, probably best consumed within the next few years. A solid wine. 89 points

[Frederick Blais]

Meandro do Vale Meao 2004

I had this wine friday for my tasting but it was a bit too hot. Now chilled around 16 celcius it is drinking really well. Good complexity of flavours with wet earth, licorice, cummin, ripe plums. The palate is showing the same flavours, good acidity, nicely grained tannins, a bit green though and finale is ok for a 25$can wine. 15.5/20

[Andy Velebil]

Had this again last night.

2004 Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Meandro (Portugal, Douro)

Needs about 45 minutes to start opening up. Decent, yet nothing spectaclar. This would make a good BBQ wine. White cherries, a touch of oak that is not over done, a little chocolate and a medium finish. Of course, this came on the heels of a 1994 Chateau Latour so it suffered as a result....use my previous TN. 88 points

[Marco D.]

Thanks for the update Andy. I need to try this and the regular Vale Meao.

I loved the 2003 Vale Meao, if a bit on the ripe side. I think I'll like the 2004 better (too bad it is so expensive). How was the 1994 Latour? Last time I had it, it was tannic monster.

[Andy Velebil]

Marco,

The Latour was still so young and very tannic, but balanced. Although very good, I'd wait another 10 years before opening another.