Quinta do Vale Meao Vintage Port, Quinta do Vale Meão 2011

The 2011 Vintage is a blend of 60% Touriga Franca, 20% Touriga Nacional, 5% Tinta Barroca, 5% Tinta Roriz, 5% Sousao and 5% of other varieties, trodden by foot in lagares. At first I was not too sure of the Quinta do Vale Meao, but just leaving my glass to one side for 30 minutes, it developed promisingly in the glass, offering fragrant scents of California raisin and fresh prune, hints of clove and smoke that are well-defined. The palate is well-balanced, with fine tannins encasing a core of ripe red and black fruit, plus there is a lovely honeyed, almost mellifluous texture towards the finish. This will be one of the more approachable 2011 declared Ports and one that is well worth seeking out. Tasted May 2013.