Azores Wine Company Pico Arinto dos Acores Non Sur Lies 2023 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate writes 92-93 Points | I had an incredible vertical tasting of all the vintages of the Arinto bottling from 2020 to 2013, but I only made sketchy notes, aside from the last three vintages. The 2023 Arinto dos Açores, a varietal bottling of the grape planted on volcanic soils exclusive to the Azores Islands, was my second favorite of the three years. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in horizontal stainless steel vats with fine lees for eight months, an élevage that added to the verticality of the wine. It has moderate ripeness, 12% alcohol, a pH of 3.26 coupled with high acidity and 7.23 grams of tartaric acid per liter of wine, giving it a sharp profile. 10,466 bottles produced. Drink Date: 2024-2030.” - (92-93) points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, August 22, 2024

Winemaker Description 

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. This was native fermented in horizontal stainless barrels, where it remained on lees for 8 months. Tart lemon, lemongrass, juicy grapefruit, and elderflower run the sleek length of this electric wine, buffered by subtly creamy lees, and finishing with a stony, saline buzz. A beauty marine swept white.