2009 Quinta do Vale Meão ‘Meandro’ Douro
Coal briquette aromatics in which red-black fruit pastilles nestle; these replicate in the mouth where luscious fruits sit deep and down in the mouthfeel of an intensely earthy palate glinting with dark minerals, and a little glyceric gloss. It’s not lighter, but sits lower in the mouth than recent vintages, with the balance tilting away from glyceric fruits and lurching into terroir. 30% Touriga Nacional/30% Tinto Roriz/30% Touriga Franca/5% each Tintas Barroca and Amarela.