Anselmo Mendes Loureiro do Tiago 2020

Anselmo Mendes is a leading Vinho Verde producer in the Minho, in northern Portugal, and this wine is his son Tiago's interpretation of Loureiro, a grape whose name refers to the laurel and points to its markedly floral aroma. Loureiro is grown on granite soils in a cool, wet Atlantic climate that keeps its acidity high and its aromatics fresh and lifted. This is a more ambitious take than the everyday spritzy style: the wine ages six months in oak barrel and then spends a further four years in bottle before release. The barrel and lees contact add texture and a light honeyed depth, while the long bottle age softens the wine and lets secondary complexity develop, so it drinks with more weight and roundness than a young Loureiro. The colour is bright straw with golden tones from the ageing. The nose is fresh and floral, with lemon and white peach over white flowers and a distinct rose and laurel note true to the grape. The palate is dry and vibrant, the citrus and orchard fruit carried on firm acidity, with a subtle honeyed, savoury depth from time in barrel and bottle. Serve at 10 to 12C.