For The Love Of Port

Decanted 5.5 hrs. Deep dark red colour. Intense fresh aroma of blackcurrant and a bit spicy. Full body. The taste is heavily loaded with fruit, on the brink to be too much, and spices also in the taste. Long, long finish. Like the style of the 2004 better, but still this one gets 91 pts.

Rune,
How do you see this one aging, do you think it will hold up long term or end up being a more medium term VP?

Hi Andy!
If we look at the 2003 and 2004 vintages in general, I agree Roy's evaluation that 2003 is a "Classic" year.
During the last year or two I have started to ask myself whether 2004 should be rated as low as "Good".
For a quality producer like Vale Meao, the 2004 is undoubtly a step up from the 2003.
Recently I also had a bottle of Taylor's Vargellas 2004, which was also very nice.
There has also been a few 2004 LBVs that have been better than "normal" LBVs.

Vale Meao has only been launching vintage ports under their own name for abt 10 years, although the owner has plenty of experience from his Ferreira days. However, the Vale Meao-style is a bit different and it is difficult to say whether it will last long or be a medium VP. After have tasted the 2004 Vale Meao VP, I have purchased a case of that VP and will probably buy more, as I believe it will be a better product for ageing. I have two more bottles of the 2003 Vale Meao and will post a message If I view it differently than my present view that the 2003 Vale Meao VP will be a nice VP, but clearly overshadowed by 2004 and 2007.