2011 Meandro de Vale Meão, Quinta do Vale Meão
Made from a blend of local grapes, but dominated by Touriga Nacional, this is an exceptional Portuguese red. The nose is of dark berry fruit and spice, almost compote-like in its fragrance and the purity of the fruit. There is considerable structure here, but this is a wine that carries its weight in effortless balance. The dark berry fruit core is rich and appealing, framed by fine tannins and finished with a delightful herbal freshness that carries through to the finish. Exceptional.