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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 Ferreira port house started making wine from his son, oenologist Xito (Francisco) Olazabal in 1998 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 wines that they make now guarantee an authentic experience of the Douro wines, naturally 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!

The Quinta do Vale do Meão is the flagship of one of Portugal's best wineries. The wine is a blend of the authentic Portuguese grapes 55% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 5% Tinta Barroca and 5% Tinta Roriz which have been used in French barriques for 18 months (80% new, used for the 2nd time). The grapes come from vines 45-50 years old. This is a wine that is wonderfully balanced and extremely elegant. Nothing is too much or too overwhelming and in the Wine-Advocate it also speaks about the "Wow moment" at the Quinta do Vale do Meão. This wine is simply irresistible. The wine has a complex nose with many aromatic nuances without overlaps with a different odor. We smell red fruit, leather, espresso, a hint of tobacco and spices in the nose. The wine is medium to full bodied with an excellent (read: non-dominant) integration of wood. Now every comparison with this wine is a bit wrong, but it is best to compare it with a good, elegant Burgundian who can also combine freshness and elegance. The Meao was in the Winespectator Top 100 of the world's best wines in the top 3!

94/100 Parker