Quinta do Vale Meão Porto Vintage 2016

The 2016 Vintage Port, set for bottling a couple of weeks after tasting, is a blend of Touriga Franca (45%), Touriga Nacional (25%) and various others, aged in an equal mixture of stainless steel and old chestnut vats for 12 months. It comes in with 90 grams of residual sugar. When Ports have a large component in stainless, there is one thing that usually follows—more vivid fruit flavor. So, too, here. The first and best feature of this Port is that it is completely delicious. The tannins are just average, the concentration is better, but the flavor is exceptional. This is not a winery best known for its Ports, but this is one of the better ones I've seen, almost certainly the best since the 2011, if not better. This will be approachable earlier than most but giving it at least 10 years will make it more complex.

A perfumed wine, this has structure, fine tannins and a rich texture. It is full of black-currant and berry fruits as well as concentration and juicy acidity. This wine will develop gently and be ready to drink from 2027.