F. Olazabal & Filhos, Lda · Quinta do Vale Meão · 5150-501 Vila Nova de Foz Côa

Tel. (+351) 279 762 156 · Fax. (+351) 279 762 207 · geral@quintadovalemeão.pt

QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO VINTAGE PORT 2011

This is a vintage port produced solely from the exceptional vineyards of the

Quinta do Vale Meão in the Douro Superior.

This historic Estate, founded in 1877 by the legendary Port producer Dona Antónia

Adelaide Ferreira and now owned by her great great grandson Francisco Javier

de Olazabal, is situated in the wild upper reaches of the Douro and has

consistently produced top quality grapes.

In1998 Francisco Javier de Olazabal resigned as President of A.A. Ferreira S.A. to

dedicate himself, together with his Oenologist son Francisco de Olazabal y

Nicolau de Almeida, to producing, ageing and marketing the wines from the

Quinta through a new company, F. Olazabal & Filhos Lda.

Vines cover 85 hectares of the property, over three distinct soils (alluvial, granite

and schist), which offer a uniquely complex terroir for a single estate.

The unfortified wines of this estate (Quinta do Vale Meão and Meandro de Vale

Meão) already count as amongst the most sought after in all Portugal and have

deserved international acclaim.

2000 was their first Estate bottled Vintage Port, followed by 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007,

2008, and now 2011.

F. Olazabal & Filhos, Lda · Quinta do Vale Meão · 5150-501 Vila Nova de Foz Côa

Tel. (+351) 279 762 156 · Fax. (+351) 279 762 207 · geral@quintadovalemeão.pt

2011 HARVEST REPORT

After a long, cold and rainy winter, spring arrived with the average

rainfall for the year fulfilled – about 400 mm. This situation allowed an

earlier than normal but fantastic bud break, with a promising yield in

view. The rainy days occurred throughout the spring causing some

downy mildew risks, not significant in this estate, but causing severe

damage in the region. The water levels in the soil after a rainy winter

and spring allowed the plants to go through summer without severe

stress, but the early bud break date forced us to start the harvest on

the 23rd of August. A few days later we had 15 mm of rain in two

consecutive days, which was beneficial to balance the maturation

of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, picked in the second week

of September. Up to the end of the vintage we’ve enjoyed perfect

weather, sunny and mild, which allowed us to harvest slowly and to

choose the ideal timing for picking the different varieties.

Vinification:

We picked the grapes by grape variety and ensured raisined

and unhealthy bunches were separated. They were then

crushed, cooled, and fermented in our traditional granite

“lagares” until fortification. The resulting Port was racked into

large vats, where it was left to mature, until the final blend was

made in April 2013.

Tasting Note:

Quinta do Vale Meão VINTAGE PORT 2011 is a deeply colored

wine, with a powerful attack, full of intensity where one easily

can find fresh fruity notes. It is very well structured so we believe

it will age beautifully. Its final blend is composed of 60% Touriga

Franca, 20% Touriga Nacional, 5% Tinta Barroca, 5% Tinta Roriz,

5% Sousão and 5% of other varieties.

PRESS REVIEWS

Jancis Robinson, www.jancisrobinson.com, May 1st, 2013

2011 Quinta Do Vale MeaoVintage Port (18 Points)

Blackish purple. Very scented. Dry and aromatic. Luscious and

broad. Well up to standard for the vintage. Maybe not as intense

as the very best. But commendable in a liquorice sort of way.

Beautifully made.

James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com/ May 21, 2013

2011 Quinta Do Vale MeaoVintage Port (91 Points)

A young vintage Port with plums and berries and hints of flowers.

Medium body, medium sweetness. Clean finish. One for early

drinking. Better in 2017.

Neil Martin www.erobertparker.com, May 28, 2013

2011 Quinta Do Vale Meao Vintage Port (91-93)�The grapes from

Quinta do Vale Meão were sold to Ferreira S.A. until 1994. By that

time, Francisco Javier de Olazabal, a descendant of the Ferreira

family, managed to acquire all the shares in the Quinta and it

was separated from Ferreira in the late 1990s; since then it has

operated as an independent concern. The 2011 Vintage is a

blend of 60% Touriga Franca, 20% Touriga Naçional, 5% Tinta

Barroca, 5% Tinta Roriz, 5% Sousão and 5% of other varieties,

trodden by foot in lagares. At first I was not too sure of the Quinta

do Vale Meão, but just leaving my glass to one side for 30

minutes, it developed promisingly in the glass, offering fragrant

scents of California raisin and fresh prune, hints of clove and

smoke that are well-defined. The 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 towards the finish.

This will be one of the more approachable 2011 declared Ports

and one that is well worth seeking out.