Azores Wine Company Verdelho O Original 2023

I tasted the 2023 Verdelho o Original one week before bottling. 2023 was an average year, not particularly rainy or dry and much like 2021 and 2022. This feels quite tense—more tense than 2022—like a hypothetical blend of 2021 and 2018 (2018 was very linear). It has 12% alcohol, a pH of 3.42 and 6.69 grams of acidity. It's quite balanced, with freshness, acidity and minerality. The first pressing, which was 80% of the volume, fermented in stainless steel, and the second pressing (20% of the juice) was in used oak barrels, where the wine matured with lees for a period of eight months. This is still very primary, with some sensations of botrytis, but I believe it will go in the direction of the 2021 and the 2020.

This opens with floral aromas of chamomile and limes. The palate is subtler than the arinto or terrantez with less acidity. It’s mellower with a subtle texture that follows through to a white fruit finish. Drink now.