2015 Quinta do Vale do Meao Vintage Port
| Type of Wine | Portwine |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Douro (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Grape | , Tinta Roriz, , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (19%) |
| Drink window | 2020 - 2064 |
In stock
7 items available
Description
In the easternmost part of the Douro near the Spanish border we find Quinta do Vale Meão in the Douro Superior. This very famous quinta is the birthplace of Barca Velha, the most famous and highly praised Portuguese wine. The quinta is owned by Francisco Javier de Olazabal, the great-great-grandson of Dona Antonia. The former director of the Port House Ferreira (until 1999) started making wine from these exceptional vines in 1998 with his son, oenologist Francisco de Olazabal y Almeida. and terroir. In 2000 they launched a Vintage Port on the market for the first time. Their Finest Ruby Reserve is of exceptionally high quality. Quinta do Vale Meão is one of the top in Portugal and you can taste why that is so!
The 2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port is a blend of 45% Touriga Franca with other grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela and Sousão. After crushing, the grapes are cooled and periodically crushed in granite "lagares" until the sugar content of the must reaches the required level. This process takes an average of three days. The fermenting must is then transferred to storage tanks and wine brandy is added to stop fermentation. The 2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port has a deep ruby/purple color, with a powerful aroma that jumps out of the glass, while remaining fresh and fruity. The wine is very well structured and will age beautifully.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Portwine |
|---|---|
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Douro |
| Appellation | Douro (Appellation) |
| Winery | Quinta do Vale Meao |
| Grape | Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga, Touriga Franca |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Drinking as of | 2020 |
| Drinking till | 2064 |
| Alcohol % | 19 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | Yes |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 92 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port
RP 92+
Reviewed by: Mark Squires
Drink Date: 2026 - 2065
Winemaker Xito Olazabal told me that he thinks Touriga Franca is the best grape for the backbone of Vintage Ports. The 2015 Vintage Port is dominated by Touriga Franca (45%), with a mix of others in a field blend. It was aged in used Chestnut vats for 12 months and comes in with just 90 grams per liter of residual sugar. This was seen previously as a barrel sample—this is the first look in bottle. Wonderfully elegant, this high-personality Port shows impressive mid-palate finesse to go with its fine structure. This is never even a little bit jammy. Some will criticize it, perhaps, for seeming a bit light. However, its calling cards are the exotic aromatics, freshness, transparency and precision. It smells of menthol, eucalyptus and cistus. The lifted fruit is wonderfully pure and clean, while there is a juicy finish laced with just a little blueberry and bitter chocolate. Its backbone has plenty of steel—it drank better some 48 hours later—and that steel became ever more obvious as it aired out. This still can improve notably in the cellar. It is not particularly dense, but the balanced combination of power and freshness may preserve it well. With age, this should develop well. Right now, I'm optimistic, but it does have things to prove, so let's be a little conservative just now.
This estate in Douro Superior is one of Douro's icons. They are consistent, elegant and typically exceptional. So far, however, I am wondering if these 2015s are a step behind their 2014s. I'm not exactly a fan of 2014 in Douro overall, but this property did well in the vintage—Douro Superior tended to do better in general. These 2015s are very young just now and rather closed. Let's see what happens in a few years.
More famous, I think, for the table wines (to the point of iconic status), this producer also makes nice Ports.
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In the eastern part of the Douro, near the Spanish border, we find Quinta do Vale Meão, birthplace of Barca Velha, the most famous and highly acclaimed Douro. The quinta is owned by Francisco Javier de Olazabal, the great-great-grandson of Dona Antonia Ferreira who bought the quinta in 1877. The former director of the port house Ferreira started making wine in 1998 with his son, oenologist Xito (Francisco) Olazabal. this exceptional terroir. Their first wine, Meao 1999, was immediately named the best Portuguese wine of 1999. It is the most famous quinta in Portugal and is also part of the famous Douro Boys. All the wines they make now guarantee an authentic experience of the Douro wines, of course made from the typical Portuguese grape varieties from the Douro region. Quinta do Vale Meão belongs to the top of Portugal and you can taste why it is!
In the easternmost part of the Douro near the Spanish border we find Quinta do Vale Meão in the Douro Superior. This very famous quinta is the birthplace of Barca Velha, the most famous and highly praised Portuguese wine. The quinta is owned by Francisco Javier de Olazabal, the great-great-grandson of Dona Antonia. The former director of the Port House Ferreira (until 1999) started making wine from these exceptional vines in 1998 with his son, oenologist Francisco de Olazabal y Almeida. and terroir. In 2000 they launched a Vintage Port on the market for the first time. Their Finest Ruby Reserve is of exceptionally high quality. Quinta do Vale Meão is one of the top in Portugal and you can taste why that is so!
The 2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port is a blend of 45% Touriga Franca with other grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela and Sousão. After crushing, the grapes are cooled and periodically crushed in granite "lagares" until the sugar content of the must reaches the required level. This process takes an average of three days. The fermenting must is then transferred to storage tanks and wine brandy is added to stop fermentation. The 2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port has a deep ruby/purple color, with a powerful aroma that jumps out of the glass, while remaining fresh and fruity. The wine is very well structured and will age beautifully.
| Type of Wine | Portwine |
|---|---|
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Douro |
| Appellation | Douro (Appellation) |
| Winery | Quinta do Vale Meao |
| Grape | Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga, Touriga Franca |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Drinking as of | 2020 |
| Drinking till | 2064 |
| Alcohol % | 19 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | Yes |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 92 |
Parker
2015 Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port
RP 92+
Reviewed by: Mark Squires
Drink Date: 2026 - 2065
Winemaker Xito Olazabal told me that he thinks Touriga Franca is the best grape for the backbone of Vintage Ports. The 2015 Vintage Port is dominated by Touriga Franca (45%), with a mix of others in a field blend. It was aged in used Chestnut vats for 12 months and comes in with just 90 grams per liter of residual sugar. This was seen previously as a barrel sample—this is the first look in bottle. Wonderfully elegant, this high-personality Port shows impressive mid-palate finesse to go with its fine structure. This is never even a little bit jammy. Some will criticize it, perhaps, for seeming a bit light. However, its calling cards are the exotic aromatics, freshness, transparency and precision. It smells of menthol, eucalyptus and cistus. The lifted fruit is wonderfully pure and clean, while there is a juicy finish laced with just a little blueberry and bitter chocolate. Its backbone has plenty of steel—it drank better some 48 hours later—and that steel became ever more obvious as it aired out. This still can improve notably in the cellar. It is not particularly dense, but the balanced combination of power and freshness may preserve it well. With age, this should develop well. Right now, I'm optimistic, but it does have things to prove, so let's be a little conservative just now.
This estate in Douro Superior is one of Douro's icons. They are consistent, elegant and typically exceptional. So far, however, I am wondering if these 2015s are a step behind their 2014s. I'm not exactly a fan of 2014 in Douro overall, but this property did well in the vintage—Douro Superior tended to do better in general. These 2015s are very young just now and rather closed. Let's see what happens in a few years.
More famous, I think, for the table wines (to the point of iconic status), this producer also makes nice Ports.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
In the eastern part of the Douro, near the Spanish border, we find Quinta do Vale Meão, birthplace of Barca Velha, the most famous and highly acclaimed Douro. The quinta is owned by Francisco Javier de Olazabal, the great-great-grandson of Dona Antonia Ferreira who bought the quinta in 1877. The former director of the port house Ferreira started making wine in 1998 with his son, oenologist Xito (Francisco) Olazabal. this exceptional terroir. Their first wine, Meao 1999, was immediately named the best Portuguese wine of 1999. It is the most famous quinta in Portugal and is also part of the famous Douro Boys. All the wines they make now guarantee an authentic experience of the Douro wines, of course made from the typical Portuguese grape varieties from the Douro region. Quinta do Vale Meão belongs to the top of Portugal and you can taste why it is!