Anselmo Mendes Expressões 2021

Anselmo Mendes made this Albariño in Vinho Verde, in the Minho region of northern Portugal, from his family winery in Monção. Mendes is a sought after adviser to Portuguese producers and is closely tied to the rise of serious Albariño in the north, where the Monção and Melgaço subregion is the grape's stronghold. The vineyards sit on granite soils in a cool, damp, Atlantic climate, which keeps the fruit fresh and gives Albariño its saline, citrus edge. This is a richer reading than the light Vinho Verde most people know. The wine was barrel fermented and then aged for around 9 months on the lees, which builds a creamy texture through the slow release of mannoproteins and adds a soft, doughy weight, followed by a further period in bottle. The barrel work adds structure and oxygen exchange without heavy oak. The colour is bright straw gold. The nose is ripe apricot and white peach with lemon, honey and a fresh dough note, and the palate is full but taut, with stone fruit, an almond edge, a saline lift and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees in a white wine glass.