$17.99 on 6+ (code: 6saves2)

Our Tasting Note:  No scores yet as the Wine Advocate slowly revamps its Portuguese coverage after the departure of Mark Squires.  This wine has always scored great in the 90-93 point range and for this kind of wine is excellent. I'd put it at a 92 personally, if that helps you calibrate.  The warm year brings a little more of the fruit forward, a little more body but you would not know unless you were looking for it.  As usual, the acidity takes the lead on wines made from Loureiro.  A star-bright color. The nose is med+ with loads of citrus fruit, citrus peel, crushed spring blossoms, with generous wafts of salinity and chalky minerality.  The palate is med- bodied, with med+ to high acidity, with pronounced palate flavors and a fresh, long, cool finish.

This wine originates in the Lima sub-region, the birthplace of the Loureiro grape variety. It seeks the most vibrant expression of the grape variety, demonstrating its potential to produce quality wines and its great capacity for evolution.

Grape: Loureiro
Soil Type: Granite, sandy loam soil
Abv: 12%
Total Acidity: 6.7 g/l
pH: 3.13

Winemaking
Manual harvest, pneumatic pressing of whole grapes. Cold decanting of the must for 48 hours. Fermentation at a controlled temperature (16 °C-18 ºC) for 12 to 15 days in stainless steel vats. In stainless steel vats in contact with the fine lees for around 7 months.

The wine possesses a good combination and balance of floral and fruity aromas, typical of well-ripened grapes from the Loureiro variety. It has an excellent body, a smooth, yet slightly crisp taste, a fruity palate and a persistent length very aromatic, floral, fruity fantastic minerality and a very good freshness.

Quinta do Ameal is a small producer in Vinho Verde, only 14ha, but with an outsized reputation, they are one of the region's most important producers. Their estate is in the westernmost sub-zone of Ponte de Lima. Ponte de Lima is believed to be the origin of the region's most important varietals, Loureiro. It is common to equate Quinta do Ameal and Loureiro just as you would Soalheiro and Alvarinho. They have been farming organically for almost 20 years and utilize some Biodynamic methods. The varietal is best known for its aromatics and acidity, making it one of Vinho Verde’s most important blending varietals. Here the subtle floral and herbal aromatics (Loureiro is Laurel in Portugues) lifts the ripe citrus and orchard fruits. It is medium bodied and balanced with fresh acidity and there is a faint mineral tone on the finish. The fruit, body, acidity balance makes this an ideal wine for pairing with a wide range of cuisine.