Invincible Blanco Nº 2 2023

Companhia de Vinhos Invencível is a venture by winemakers Rita Marques and Marc Kent, and this Blanco Nº 2 is a Douro white field blend of Boal, Códega, Códega do Larinho, Donzelinho and Rabigato from Casais do Douro in the Cima Corgo. The Douro's steep schist soils and hot, dry climate are tempered at altitude, and the old field-blend plantings ripen the several varieties together for complexity and balance. The wine spent ten months in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood builds texture and a gentle nutty depth without covering the fruit. The colour is straw yellow with golden tints. The nose shows ripe pear, white peach and citrus peel, with a light floral note and a savoury, nutty edge from the barrel. The palate is broad and textured, with orchard and stone fruit carried by firm acidity from the altitude and a saline, mineral finish. This is a structured, food-friendly white with weight and length. Serve it at 11 to 13 degrees in a white wine glass.