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Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2017: best 2025 to 2047.
vintage8 yrs30 yrs32 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2020 | 2017 | 96/100 |
| Wine Spectator reviewed 2018 | 2015 | 95/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: pressed violet, black currant, bramble berry, graphite, crushed granite
Palate: black fruit, blueberry, firm polished tannin
One of Portugal's most sought-after dry reds, from the historic Douro Superior estate where Barca Velha was born: powerful yet refined, with cedar, graphite and a long structured finish.
What it pairs with
-
Roast lamb
Find roast lamb on TableJourney →
Structure and herbs frame the lamb. -
Grilled beef
Find grilled beef on TableJourney →
Firm tannins carry red meat. -
Aged cheese
Concentration for strong cheese.
How to serve Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast lamb, Grilled beef, Aged cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
After the Ferreira-linked family regained the Vale Meao estate, Francisco Olazabal launched the eponymous wine in 1999; the estate was the original home of Barca Velha.
- 1877: Estate created by Dona Antonia Ferreira
- 1999: First Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto under family label
Facts
- Producer
- Quinta do Vale Meao · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao
- Classification
- DOC Douro
- Oak
- Aged around 18 months in French oak, part new
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 90 to 160 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1999
Frequently asked about Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto
What does Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto taste like?
On the nose, pressed violet, black currant, bramble berry, graphite, crushed granite. On the palate, black fruit, blueberry, firm polished tannin. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. One of Portugal's most sought-after dry reds, from the historic Douro Superior estate where Barca Velha was born: powerful yet refined, with cedar, graphite and a long structured finish.
When should I drink Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto?
Drink 8 to 30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto?
Roast lamb is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled beef and Aged cheese. Structure and herbs frame the lamb.
Is Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Quinta do Vale Meao Tinto?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao. The wine is classified as DOC Douro.
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