Macanita Branco, Douro 2022 750ml

Maçanita’s Douro Branco exemplifies the confluence of richness and elegant minerality that is the hallmark of Douro whites. The indigenous Viosinho provides the backbone to this mineral driven wine, showcasing the slate soil and high altitude plantings that fuel this project. Fermented and aged all in stainless steel, Antonio and Joana very capably maintain the freshness and acidity in this wine, yielding a wine of purity and balance.

Wine Advocate 90 points The 2021 Branco is a field blend, roughly a 70/20 blend of Viosinho and Códega do Larinho plus 10% Gouveio, unoaked, very dry and coming in at 12.7% alcohol. The winery features some difficult whites, like the As Olgas, but this is the winery's version of a classic fresh white, bright, a bit fruit forward and with perfect balance. It has enough concentration to go with the beautiful supporting acidity. The fruit is tasty too, but this is acid driven. I am not sure how long it will last, but if only five or six years, that's not a flaw, just something this isn't really intended for. It will still hold a reasonable time, perhaps longer than indicated.