Grape: Portuguese red varietal blend
Region: Douro, Portugal
Perfect with: Stewed dishes, game such as quail or venison 
Ageing Potential: 10-15 years

Size: 750mL

Why You'll Love It

Quinta do Vale Meão comprises of 300 hectares, with some 70 hectares currently under vine. Unlike most of vineyards in Douro (which comprise of field blends), their vineyards are block planted with six varieties of indigenous grapes on soils comprising schistose, alluvial gravel and granitic. Block planting means a specific variety is planted in a block, this method allows for more control when it comes to blending their wines (as opposed to the more common method where everything is mixed up in the field). This estate is situated on one of the most geologically diverse sites and this one of the secrets and what contributes to the incredible complexity found their wines. Until recently the Vale Meao estate provided the majority of grapes for the Legendary Barca Velha - a wine of modern Portuguese legend, made only in great vintages since 1952 and the first serious Douro table wine ever made.

Tastes Like

Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro Tinto 2015 is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 16% Tinta Roriz, 5% Tinta Barroca, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 2% Tinta Amarela. The grapes are harvested by hand, cooled down and then trodden in granite lagares, then transferred to stainless steel for vinification, by individual variety, before ageing in 2nd and 3rd year 225L French Allier oak barriques. It is a fruity and spicy wine with real Douro character.