(2022) Pristine white from Atlantic-influenced vineyards, it is 60% malvasia, plus 40% of mixed local varieties, which had a little skin contact in stainless steel. Lemony yellow in colour with a springtime perfume on the nose, wild flowers and lemon drops. In the mouth a little richer and weightier than you might expect, with bold fruit that races between lemon and a fatter tangerine sweetness, very nice acidity with a lick of salt. Highly drinkable Vinho Verde alternative for the summer with its 11.5% alcohol.
(2022) A rare Sauvignon Blanc from Portugal, this comes from Lisboa close to the capital. Quite yourthful and confectionary aromas, a little pear drop and tropical fruit, certainly fresh with a touch of leafiness that is authentically Sauvignon. The palate perhaps has a little residual sugar, perhaps there to balance quite a surge of acidity.
(2021) From Lisboa, the wine region close to the city of Lisbon and once known as Estremadura, this is a blend of local grapes Arinto and Viosinho, with Viognier and Chardonnay. It's a very nice little wine, and versatile too, medium-bodied with good acidity and a zesty, sparky personality. The fruit dances between ripe apple and pear and something more tropical, but with zip and a herby twang of brightness for easy drinking, on it's own or versatile with food. Watch the video for more information and food-matching recommendations.
(2018) A lightly spritzy, fresh, and just off-dry white wine from Lisboa, much in the style of a Vinho Verde perhaps, made principally from Arinto and Fernão Pires with some floral Moscatel, and only 9.5% alcohol by volume. Brimming with almost tropical fruit and herbal tang, it's a crowd-pleasing style with that hint of sweetness, but the balance of acidity is really very good making it mouth-watering and fresh too.
(2018) Like the Azulejo, from Lisboa just west of Lisbon, this time 100% Arinto and drier with 12.5% alcohol. Aromas are gently herbal, with cool apple fruit and a hint of almond in the background. Ripe, with creamy-sweet fleshy fruit, mouth-filling and rich but the fruit is focused on dry, firm apple and melon, a citrus pith and salty acidity freshening the finish in a cool and elegant style.
(2012) Very pale, this sees oak but it is virtually undetectable on the nose with lifted, gently floral aromas that are delicate and spicy, quite exotic but utterly fresh. The palate has a freshness and mountain-stream clarity. It is fairly light and arguably just a touch dilute on the lemony, very clean finish, but then the hints of honeyed richness are there.
(2010) Lovely mealy and lemony richness, with a touch of toast. The palate has real textural breadth and richness too, with that fat, lemony fruit and lovely acidity. Juicy and mouth-watering.
(2010) This white wine is a blend of the local Arinto grape with Chardonnay. It is a very fresh, zingy white with lime and floral notes, but on the palate there's a fatness and weight that fills the mouth. It's all about freshness and fruitiness, yet has a serious seam of concentration too.
(2010) A blend of Chardonnay with Arinto and Vital, aged seven months in French oak, the Reserva has an attractive lemon meringue pie character, combining fresh citrus with bakery notes and a creaminess. There's a freshness too, with a little leafy, herby lift. On the palate I like the decisive, dry, pithy grapefruit and lemon character here, with a lean minerality that cleaves its way through richer, more toasty and vanillin tones. Quite a concentrated and powerful wine this, with a long, very focused finish and real staying power. Impressive.
