Born in Monção in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region, Anselmo Mendes fell in love with the Alvarinho grape at an early age and began making his first wines from the variety in 1988. Over the years he has consulted for many of Portugal’s top wineries and he also makes his own wines in Minho close to the border with Spain. Anselmo uses his decades of experience of working with Alvarinho to create a range of styles from crisp, light-bodied expressions to richer wines which are fermented and aged in oak barrels.
This premium Alvarinho is sourced from a prime single vineyard plot that produces particularly pure and aromatic grapes. Once in the winery the grapes are destemmed and softly pressed. The must is then fermented in new 400 litre French oak barrels followed by 9 months of ageing with battonage or stirring of the lees.
Hints of tropical fruit, citrus zest, toasted almonds and woodsmoke define the nose while on the palate there is a medium body, smooth, creamy texture and gentle tannins. The bold flavour profile and well-built structure make this a great wine to cellar for a few more years or enjoy now with creamy fish or chicken dishes or cheeses.