Meandro do Vale Meao 2023: Bold Character, Lasting Impression
Red 13.5% ABV ABV Quinta do Vale Meao
12 January 2026
Great dinner party wine
Brought this to a friend's dinner party and everyone commented on it. It's a proper grown-up red — dark fruit, bit of liquorice, lovely long finish. The kind of bottle that makes you look like you know what you're doing even if you don't.
17 December 2025
Solid Portuguese red
My local wine shop guy recommended this and it's a good shout. Nice dark fruit, quite full-bodied but not heavy if that makes sense. At £26 it's not an everyday bottle but it punches above its weight compared to similar priced Riojas I've had.
12 December 2025
Really impressed with this one
Picked this up from Majestic on a whim and glad I did. Loads of dark plum and chocolate going on, really rich and smooth. The peppery finish is lovely — had it with a lamb stew and it was perfect. Will definitely buy again.
28 November 2025
Good but not blown away
It's nice enough — got some plummy fruit and a bit of chocolate in there. Decent tannins. But for twenty-six quid I expected a bit more honestly. I've had Portuguese reds at half the price that weren't far off this.
18 November 2025
Birthday treat that delivered
Wife bought me this for my birthday and wow, what a wine. The strawberry and redcurrant on the nose drew me right in, and the palate is all rich plum and dark chocolate. Smooth as anything. Opened it with some cheese and we demolished the bottle in no time.
12 November 2025
Nice but nothing special
Saw this on a restaurant wine list and ordered it. It's perfectly fine — fruity, smooth, easy to drink. But I'm not sure I'd seek it out at full price when there are so many good reds around the £15-20 mark that get you most of the way there.
17 October 2025
Decent with a roast
Had this with a Sunday roast beef and it worked really well. Quite herby on the nose which I liked, then rich and plummy when you drink it. Not cheap but it's a step up from the usual supermarket stuff for a special weekend meal.
7 October 2025
Best Douro red I've tried
I've been getting into Portuguese wines lately and this is easily the best I've found so far. Beautifully balanced — the tannins are there but completely smooth, and that black pepper on the finish is brilliant. Already ordered another couple of bottles.