Caves São João, Bairrada, Poço do Lobo 1995, branco
This was current release when I bought it 2-3 years ago. 100% Arinto. 12% alcohol. Slightly tarnished brassy gold color. Waxy pear and lemon, a slightly oxidized taste. There is almost a green savory quality - like cooked fiddleheads - on the finish, similar to what carricante sometimes gets. Pretty lively and quite alive at 25 years of age, with bracing acidity. With air it almost becomes a bit honeyed (but dry), along with some passionfruit. I imagine this would go well with salt cod dishes. A-
Luis Seabra, Douro branco, Xisto Ilimitado, 2018
After reading the hype on this former winemaker at Niepoort I simply had to try one. This is a very light pale color wine full of citrus and saline with a light body and a green peppery (watercress?) finish. There's good acidity but I feel it lacks a little structure for aging and would opt to drink within a couple of years. Very refreshing and a great summer sipper. This will keep you licking your teeth. To me like a cross between godello-melon-chenin blanc, actual varieties are: 50% Rabigato/20% Codega/15% Gouveiro (godello)/10% Viosinho. B+/A- 12.5%