Variety: 40% Antao Vaz; 40% Roupeiro; 20% Perrum
Region: Alentajano, Portugal
Cost: $12 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Crystalline appearance with a citrine color. Aromas of white fruit and citrus notes in a complex and enveloping set. Fresh and balanced, with an elegant body and a long finish.
My Review: I’ve been on a streak lately of crisp, refreshing, tropical whites that remind me of the ocean, and the 2021 Monte Velho White was no exception.
In the glass the 2021 Monte Velho White was golden in color. On the nose I got aromas of white flowers, citrus, and hint of pineapple with a touch of saline and mineral. In the mouth, flavors of gooseberry, pith, lemon, and lime lead the way before giving way to mineral notes on the back end.
My wife and I paired the wine with a pork chop salad, and tropical notes and ocean-inspired flavors paired really well with the pork and while providing a counter note to the more bitter notes of the kale and radicchio we used to make the salad.
Like most Portuguese wine I’ve had, there’s great value here. For $12 it shows a complexity of flavor and subtlety that you usually find in wines that cost two or three times this much. It’s a great wine to open up with friends, with food, or with a relaxing day by the pool.
Disclosure: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
