2015 Quinta do Regueiro, Alvarinho Reserva, Moncao e Melgaco, Portugal.
Paulo Rodrigues crafts an amazing 100% Alvarinho (Albarino) from a collection of small plots with some vines know to be about 150 years old, this tiny winery is one of the very few going it alone and not made by a large co-op in the Vinho Verde and Minho region. With gorgeous fresh detail and vibrant acidity this native yeast, natural white is stainless raised and has some lees aging to add complexity and depth, this is a great example of quality Alvarinho from Portugal and even rivals some of the top Spanish wines, it shows fine mineral character and very vivid and brisk. The 2015 vintage is full of personality and charm with subtle exotic tropical elements adding to it’s seductive allure, the nose displays white flowers, sea breeze, steely notes and orchard fruits leading to a zesty palate that is lean, focused and driving with tension showing green apple, white peach, mixed citrus and passion fruit. Everything is clear and persistent with eye popping vivacious grapefruit like tanginess with hints of stony chalk and sea shore pebbles, this is gripping Alvarinho, it’s natural alcohol is about 12% making for a delicately weighted wine that is still full of flavor and extract, similar to an Aussie blisteringly dry Riesling or Austrian Gruner, perfect for summer, both as an afternoon cooler or a warm evening pleaser, perfect with seafood, especially mussels, oysters and clams or fried white fish. This is a real steal and a wine lovers wine made by a small artisan winemaker with an intense passion that is also reflected in his wine and terroir, small amounts are imported by Threshold Wine Company, this is a stellar white to search out, both the 2014 and this newly released 2015 vintage are exceptional.
($19 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
