QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO
DOURO, PORTUGAL 2021
WHY BUY:
Portugal is one of the smart buys in wine right now, with the powerful and long reds from the Douro Valley offering an unbeatable combination of quality and price, like these two from one of our favorite cult producers, Quinta do Vale Meão: their majestic, carefully-structured flagship, a highly-sought-after wine at auction and among collectors, whose 2021 vintage claimed 98 points and comes in at less than $150 a bottle, and their over-performing "second wine," Meandro. Intensity, depth, finesse, length — the very qualities we turn to Bordeaux and Cabernet to deliver — are here, and in glorious abundance.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Wine Enthusiast awarded 98 points to the Quinta do Vale Meão Douro 2021, with Roger Voss gushing, “The latest release of this top wine is as impressive as ever, a rich medley of flavors enhanced by 16 months in wood. The black fruits combine with structure to give a wine with a great future." James Suckling came away charmed from his tasting of the Meandro 2021, recording "notes of dark berries, citrus rind and cocoa with dried flowers and wet stones" that create a "medium- to full-bodied, juicy and bright" wine with "crunchy cherries and fresh acidity" plus "chalky tannins and a flavorful finish."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
The flagship Quinta do Vale Meão is everything we love about modern Douro winemaking. The power is undeniable, but it's controlled power, channeled through structure that portends decades of graceful development. The black fruit depth feels almost Bordeaux-like in its complexity, while those 16 months in wood adds layers upon layers to the foundation without overwhelming the indigenous character that makes the wines from this property so distinctive. The Meandro, meanwhile, is a find at $30, delivering dark berry intensity brightened by unexpected citrus notes, along with (and most strikingly) mineral undertones that speak to the exceptional terroir of the estate. We love its vibrancy and freshness. It’s not hard to understand why collectors snap up anything this great house puts forth.
THE STORY:
First planted in 1877 by Doña Antonia Ferreira, Quinta do Vale Meão entered the modern age when the father-and-son duo Francisco and Xito Olazabal restored it in 1998. Francisco emerged as a founding member of the prestigious "Douro Boys," a group of five producers credited with bringing international acclaim to the region's dry reds, earning Portugal's "Winemaker of the Year” several years ago for his terroir-driven approach that honors indigenous varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão, and Souzão. The 62-hectare estate benefits from optimal altitude and perfect exposure, with grapes manually crushed in large cement lagares (granite containers) and aged in barrique to produce wines of both power and persistence. This combination of traditional methods and modern precision has elevated Quinta do Vale Meão to cult status among collectors, while their commitment to conveying the unique character of Douro terroir continues to enthrall critics and connoisseurs alike.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:
Bold, powerful reds like this are practically begging for a rich, earthy stew, an herb-scented rack of lamb, or a standing rib roast with creamy scalloped potatoes.
FUN FACT:
The estate’s cellars were updated and modernized in 1998, but they retained their traditional granite lagares for foot-trodding of the grapes.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate to ensure that your wines arrive with pristine provenance. Secure your bottles today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in DC, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, NC, NE, NY, OK, TN, or WI. This offer will expire on Sunday, January 11th, 2026.