2015 Quinta do Ameal, Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal.
What an amazing vintage for this region, these 2015 whites from Vinho Verde and Moncao are wildly expressive and vivid with exotic flourish and vigorous extract and bright acidity, especially sexy and vital is the Quinta do Ameal, one of Portugal’s great and organic estates. Quinta do Ameal’s lovely Vinho Verde Loureiro dry white is one of the best of vintage with wonderful layers of citrus and tropical fruit, lifting acidity and seductive detail and sensual textures. The 2015 starts with a blast of passion fruit, mango and fresh picked peach and apricot along with a Condrieu like perfume and mineral seriousness, this is without question a gorgeous and special wine, it has honeysuckle and wild jasmine, wet stones and an array of lemon/lime, kiwi and orange/melon in the background. With a bit of swirling in the glass there is a subtle leesy richness, but also a balancing saline quality keeping things from getting too heady, this as good as it gets for this famous region, usually known for it’s crispy light quaffing whites that are almost watery like, ultra pale, spritzy and delicate, but not this one, this is a wine of substance, with a compelling body and raw sex appeal while still graceful and harmonious from start to finish, intriguing and refreshing, drink over the next year or two, fantastic stuff.
($20 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
