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2011 Quinta do Vale Meao

Lightly depressed cork

Removed from a subterranean, temperature and humidity controlled residential cellar; Purchased upon release; Consignor is original owner

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

98Wine Spectator

Powerful, with plenty of acidity to the intense cherry, violet, raspberry and wild plum flavors. Offers a sinewy texture, showing a focused spiciness and a long, mineral- and chocolate-filled finish. Sleek and refined.

91-93The Wine Advocate

Offering fragrant scents of California raisin and fresh prune, hints of clove and smoke... 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

90Vinous / IWC

Reticent aromas of blackberry, black cherry and earth are lifted by high notes of violet and mint. A juicy, youthfully tight, attractively floral midweight with strong acidity giving the mid-palate very good definition

REGION

Portugal, Douro

Douro is Portugal’s most prestigious appellation, thanks to the fact that the country’s famous Port wines have always come from the Douro. Douro, the appellation, is named for the Douro River which runs through northern Portugal. The region is mountainous and rocky, with very poor soil and harsh weather conditions because of proximity to the Atlantic. Nevertheless, vineyards have always existed there on terraced parcels of land surrounded by walls to protect the vines from wind. Most of the famous Port makers have quintas, or estates, in this region. In recent decades the Douro has developed a reputation for table wines as well as Ports, and today there are two sub-appellations within the Douro, one for table wines and one for Port. Numerous grapes are allowed within the Douro, but the main red grapes grown are Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo.) The main white grapes are Esgana Cao, Folgosado and Verdelho. Besides the historic connection to Port wines – which were highly coveted in England and other parts of Europe as early as the 17th century – the region is also home to Portugal’s best table wines, including Barca Velha.