Quinta do Vale Meão Meandro Red 2020

Named after the major bend in the Douro river that surrounds the Meão vineyards, this second wine of the estate is firm, structured with dense tannins. It is ripe, full of black fruits with tannins that are beginning to soften. Drink from 2025.

The 2020 Meandro do Vale Meão is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Roriz and dollops of Tinta Barroca and Alicante Bouschet for the rest, all aged in used French oak for 14 months. It comes in at 14.2% alcohol. This was in bottle about a month when seen. In the tough vintage, this doesn't seem to miss a beat. It's fresh, understated, elegant and full of great fruit. It has ripe tannins for support and some ability to age too. Most of all, it's another nice bargain in this consistent brand.

Pretty floral and spice notes waft through flavors of blackberry confit, fig cake, espresso and herbes de Provence in this juicy red, which is well-balanced and accessible, with light, fine tannins. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Alicante Bouschet and Tinta Roriz. Drink now through 2026. 20,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.