(2020) From the Setubal peninsula south of Lisbon, this is a blend of Fernão Pires with Verdelho and Arinto and is a delightful little summer white with its 12.5% alcohol and crisp, fruit-filled demeanour. The nose has that definite leafy green herb blast, dill, thyme and rosemary in the pot-pourri, then a crisp apple and lemon palate, lemon jelly freshness, and a cool finish with a hint of mint and lemon thyme. Summer in a glass. Part of Lidl's 'Wine Tour', May 2020.
(2019) Castelão is an important grape variety in southern Portugal, especially here in Palmela, on the Setúbal peninsula just south of Lisbon. Fermented in cement tanks with wild yeasts, it has a very soulful, deep and inviting aroma, plummy and ripe, but the wild ferment just gives that extra element of mystery and dry mineral character too. Loads of plush, ripe, juicy and fleshy black fruit on the palate, rich in texture and flavour, tannins quite sandy but fine, and a liquorice bite to the acidity. Most enjoyable.
