Anselmo Mendes - Alvarinho Contacto 2023 (750ml)

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Price: $24.99

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Producer	Anselmo Mendes
Country	Portugal
Varietal	Alvarinho
Vintage	2023
Sku	04724
Size	750ml
ABV	13.00%

Lower ABV One of the most captivating and deliciously fascinating whites in the shop now says “Vinho Verde” on the label, but has nothing to do with the spritzy, fruity, wines usually carrying that badge. First, it’s 100% Alvarinho, the Portuguese name for Rias Baixas’s Albarino. It’s from Minho, the extreme northeast of the zone and stony, pebble-laced, soils. It’s dry and still, with no spritz at all. And it’s grown and made by Anselmo Mendes, arguably the most important Alvarinho artisan in Portugal.

“Contacto” refers to a brief stay on the skins the wine sees before fermenting in steel and aging 4 months on the lees. It’s already pungently aromatic with bold scents of tangerine, orange blossom and jasmine. It feels full on the palate (at just 13% alcohol) as the flavors of Saville orange, lime, chalky stone and more unfold and then focus through a long, tart, mouthwatering, finish. Drink it like Muscadet or Rias Baixas Albarino with shellfish right now and let a couple of bottles rest for even more breadth and complexity.

For You If:  You love wines with huge amounts of presence and texture that don’t feel heavy or fruity – there’s plenty of delicious fruit here, but that’s not what the wine is all about; you like minerality in your whites; you’re about to enjoy a platter of clams opened over a fire on the grill.

Not For You If:  You’re looking for the simple pleasure of a spritzy, tartly-fruited, “regular” Vinho Verde – this drinks more like dry and salty Muscadet, but with more body and even more interesting fruit.