2022 Quinta do Vale do Meao Meandro

In the eastern part of the Douro, near the Spanish border, we find Quinta do Vale Meão, the birthplace of Barca Velha, the most famous and highly praised wine in the Douro region. The quinta is owned by Francisco Javier de Olazabal, the great-great-grandson of Dona Antonia Ferreira, who bought it in 1877. In 1998, the former director of the Ferreira Port House and his son, oenologist Xito (Francisco) Olazabal, began producing wine from this exceptional terroir. Their first wine, Meão 1999, was immediately declared the best Portuguese wine of 1999. It is Portugal's most famous quinta and is also part of the renowned Douro Boys. All the wines they now produce guarantee an authentic Douro wine experience, naturally made from the typical Portuguese grape varieties from the Douro region. Quinta do Vale Meão is among the best in Portugal, and you can taste why!

The Meandro is actually the second wine of the Vale Meão and is made from younger plantings. Meandro means "in the bend of the river." The Douro River bends near Meão, and that's where the vineyards of this estate are located. The Meandro do Vale Meão Quinta do Vale Meão is blended from Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barocca, Sousão, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Amerela. The grapes are trampled for four hours in granite lagares. The different grape varieties are kept separate until the final blend. Some of the Meandro do Vale Meão Quinta do Vale Meão is aged in previously used French oak barrels from Allier. The wine has a purple-red color. The bouquet reveals sun-drenched fruit and a warm spiciness. The flavor is full, lively, fruity, spicy, warm, and has a good length. Delicious with a nice piece of red meat or a flavorful stew.