The grapes from Quinta do Vale Meão were sold to Ferreira S.A. until 1994. By that time, Francisco Javier de Olazabal, a descendant of the Ferreira family, managed to acquire all the shares in the Quinta and it was separated from Ferreira in the late 1990s; since then it has operated as an independent concern. The 2011 Vintage is a blend of 60% Touriga Franca, 20% Touriga Naçional, 5% Tinta Barroca, 5% Tinta Roriz, 5% Sousão and 5% of other varieties, trodden by foot in lagares. At first I was not too sure of the Quinta do Vale Meão, 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. 91-93 points

Blackish purple. Very scented. Dry and aromatic. Luscious and broad. Well up to standard for the vintage. Maybe not as intense as the very best. But commendable in a liquorice sort of way. Beautifully made. 18 points