75cl
Arinto dos Açores Sur Lies DO Pico 2020 Azores Wine Company
Vendor code : 423
Antonio Maçanita is considered one of Portugal's most dynamic young winemakers. He produces wines from the Azores to the Alentejo, each reflecting the essence of the regional terroir and traditions. Antonio was named the 2018 Winemaker of the Year by Revista de Vinhos magazine and was awarded the 2018 Singularity Award by Revista Grandes Escolhas. This talented winemaker has played a crucial role in promoting Azorean wine and saving the nearly extinct varietal, Terrantez do Pico.
Color
White
Region
Azores
Fortress
12,3
Country
Portugal
Grape
Arinto
Vintage
2020
Producer
Azores Wine Company
The 2020 Arinto dos Açores Sur Lies wine was partially (80%) aged in neutral wood, with the rest in stainless steel. It is a very dry wine with an alcohol content of 12.3%. The wine exhibits great power and a long, lingering finish. The flavor profile is beautiful, showcasing very interesting fruits and minerals. There are hints of grapefruit, citrus, and a slightly salty finish. The richness demonstrates high integration. Typically, the production of this wine does not exceed 10,000 bottles. It is recommended to drink between 2019 and 2029. Wine Advocate rated the wine at 94 points.
Azores Wine Company is one of the most famous projects in Portugal. The company essentially put Azores wines on the modern map. Immediately after entering the market, their wines won many awards. The grapes they produce became the most expensive in Portugal (understandably so, given the difficult growing conditions and high quality), on par with grapes from Champagne, Bordeaux, and Napa Valley. That's why the team at Azores Wine Company couldn't just build any winery; it had to be special. For research and brainstorming, the owners and architects traveled to the Loire Valley, home to countless small vineyards, where the dominant grape varieties have a genetic link to the Azores. Unlike French wineries, the Azores Wine Company site overlooks the ocean, the volcanic Mount Pico of the same name, and nearby islands. Because the site is in a UNESCO-protected area and subject to strict measures, and because everyone involved in the project wanted it to have minimal impact on the landscape, the team settled on a square structure clad in stone from the same site. This was to be an extension of the stone fences protecting the vineyards. The investment in the winery, which also aims to develop Pico as a wine tourism destination, amounted to 3 million euros. The style of the wines is mineral, salty, well-balanced, and unlike anything else. If you need a score, Wine Advocate rated many of them over 90 points, and Vinha Centénaria 2018 rated at 95 points. We'll be perfectly honest and say that Azores Wine Company wines are among the favorites of the Lambier Wines team!
Reviews from critics
94/100
1 points
95-100
0
90-94
1
85-89
0
80-84
0
75-79
0
0-74
0
Wine Advocate
Mark Squires:"The 2020 Arinto dos Açores Sur Lies was partly (80%) aged in neutral wood, the rest in stainless steel. It is very dry and comes in at 12.3% alcohol. As much as I like the regular Arinto, I tend to prefer this a little better for its texture, if nothing else. Once past that sensual texture, it is a replay of the regular Arinto in this report, showing plenty of power and a long, lingering finish. Here, though, I would say the power might already show better integration while the regular Arinto has a bit more character. So, reasonable minds might differ on their preferences. It should hold for a decade or so from now. It will be interesting to compare as they age. There were 5,503 bottles produced".