Quinta do Vale Meão 10 Year Old Tawny Port

Although this is labeled as an average of 10 years, this Port shows as much wood as youthful fruit. That gives it maturity, the dried fruits showing well against richness. Drink now.

The NV 10 Years Old Tawny Port was bottled in November 2021 with a bar-top cork and 106 grams of residual sugar. Concentrated and rather powerful for a 10 Year, this has pungent aromatics too, and it delivers big flavor. The flavor profile is a bit darker, but it seems to hang onto its balance. This is the debut release, something new for the winery. It seems successful so far, if rather burly for a 10.

Deep aroma, where every nuance is very expressive. Plum and dried cherry, a light smoky note, heather honey and maple syrup, cardamom and cinnamon spice, pine and bergamot tones. A mouth with finesse and depth too, where the strength of youth is dominated by harmony and seriousness.

Brownish tawny, still with some red at the core. Deep aroma of dried citrus peel, figs, caramelised nuts, bitter apricot and orange. Sweet and a little fiery on the palate, with all the freshness of the citrus to balance the sweetness. The spirit shows a little on the nose, as if often the case with a 10 Year Old, but it is well integrated on the palate. Vibrant and fresh. I prefer this chilled to tone down the alcohol.