Le Sommelier presents Azores Wine Company mixed case

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Various
Country of Origin:	Portugal
Grape Varietal:	Various
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	6 bottles
$267.54 Per Case ($44.59/btl)

Tasting Notes

From the volcanic archipelago and wine region in the Atlantic, off Portugal, comes this special six pack of marine-influenced, summer-ready wines.
António Maçanita is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic young winemakers in Portugal, crafting wines from the Azores to Alentejo to Douro, each one capturing the essence of the regional terroir and traditions.

Critical Praise

White:
1 x Branco Vulcânico 2018, $41.95
This blend of 85% Arinto de Azores (unrelated to mainland Portugal's Arinto) and 15% Verdejo was whole bunch pressed, and fermented in inox with battonage. Light on its feet, this medium-bodied white is fresh with wild melon, subtle spice, pear blossom over a cushion of lees, finishing with a mouthwatering saline wash. Lovely glimpse of the volcanic, marine-trinsic Azores.

1 x Arinto dos Açores 2018, $48.95
Arinto dos Açores is a unique grape native to the Azores, unrelated to mainland Portugal's Arinto. These vines are planted in the rock cracks at the foothills of the volcanic mountain, almost touching the ocean. The vineyards are protected from the strong salty marine breezes by rock walls known as currais. Tight and crunchy with green apple, lemon pith, green hedge on a vibrant, mouth-watering palate, this rings of marine minerality, with the salinity lingering far after the last sip. Unique and characterful beauty.

Rosé:
2 x Rosé Vulcânico 2019, $23.95
The Azores, a volcanic archipelago and wine region in the Atlantic off Portugal, grow wine grapes on three of the nine islands. This is from the island of Pico and its pure volcanic, black basaltic, scrabbly rocky soils. This blends 5-30+ year old Saborinho, Agronómica, Aragones, Touriga Nacional and many other co-planted varieties across 13 vineyards, sustainably grown in wee plots (2 to 6 bush trained vines per square), planted in 1991 at sea level. This is a partial saigné from António Maçanita's Tinto Vulcanico, along with partial whole bunch, and including some cofermentation. Stainless steel preserves the crisp fruit, and no maceration created the appealing scant orange hue. The 600-1000L stainless barrels were lain on their sides to give more lees / wine contact and texture on the palate. Saline laced wild strawberries, cherries, pink grapefruit pith, crunchy red currant is scented with spring rhubarb, bergamot, and alluring Campari bitterness, streaming along the mineral-driven palate to a briny finish. This smacks with marine acidity, making this characterful rosé easily smashable.

Red:
1 x Tinto Vulcânico 2018, $33.95
This old vine blend of Aragonês, Agronómica, Castelão, Malvarisco, Merlot, Touriga Naçional, Saborinho, Syrah and others comes from 13 vineyards 5-30+ years old. After whole bunch pressing, this was fermented and aged in stainless. Wild and saline and fresh with red currants, herbal plum, pink peppercorn spice, sapid florals, woven with gentle waves of reduction to a fresh finish. Tannins are soft, and acidity is bright. Serve with a chill.
1 x Isabella a Proibida 2017, $36.95

The proibida (prohibition) of this wine necessitating the red line crossing out words here because this is an old vine/vineyard blend of Isabella, a hybrid grape that is not allowed for quality wine in the EU, and certainly looked down upon in the Azores and Portugal. However, winemaker Antonio Maçanita wanted to pay tribute to these old Isabella vines, once in abundance and with 200 years history on this volcanic island, before phylloxera ravaged through. This was fermented and aged for a short time in stainless. It certainly carries the foxy hybrid hallmark, poking up through candle wax, crimson cherry, candied florals and a potpourri note that appears throughout. Tannins are lightly sticky, and the finish lightly sweetish. An interesting tasting and historical exercise, best taken with a brisk chill.

Estimated time of delivery is 3-7 business days