Quinta do Vale Meão 2020

The 2020 Tinto is a blend of 35% Touriga Franca, 60% Touriga Nacional and dollops of Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca filling out the blend, all aged for 16 months in 40% new French oak. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is more the typical Touriga Nacional-dominant blend, as opposed to last year. This combines concentration and freshness, but with the Touriga Nacional ascendant again, it is also fruitier, lacing the palate with blue fruits. It remains elegant and polished, as well as delicious. Xito Olazabal said he liked this better than the 2019, and I'd tend to agree, if only for the flavor profile. They are both pretty fine, to be sure. Reasonable minds might differ.

Polished and complex nose of cloves, cassis, dark plums, violets, spice box, mocha, iodine and charcoal. It’s refined yet full of flavor, with so much elegance, freshness and agility. Medium to full body. Silky, seamless tannins that you barely notice. So classy. Crunchy. 55% touriga nacional, 40% touriga franca, 3% tinta barroca and 2% tinta roriz. Drink from 2024.