Anselmo Mendes, Muros Antigos Escolha 2019 Bottle size: 750ml

Tasting notes:
'The 2019 Muros Antigos Escolha is a blend of 40% Loureiro, 40% Avesso and 20% Alvarinho, unoaked and notably crisper and lighter than last year's (1.5 grams of residual sugar, 7.2 grams of total acidity) and 12% alcohol. Each of the grapes comes from the subregions most famous for them—Alvarinho from Monção e Melgaço, Loureiro from Lima and Avesso from Baião. This is where the lineup gets fruity as well as fresh. This is delicious, not merely well constructed. Yet the acidity beautifully lifts the fruit, so it always seems serious. It is long on the finish, a bit tense and chock-full of flavor. At this level in the lineup, I don't always expect brilliance, but this seems pretty fine right now. Perhaps, too, it is just more open that some of the bigger wines. Will it seem as good when the exuberant young fruit calms down? Maybe, maybe not. That said and considered, let's lean up on this given how well it shows now. If it slips a little as time goes on, so be it, but I'd bet it can age well. We'll be a bit conservative there, though, and take the drinking window in stages. Drink 2020 - 2027.' – Mark Squires, Wine Advocate, 90/100

About Anselmo Mendes:
Anselmo Mendes is the King of Vinho Verde and the most influential producer of the area. Vinho Verde is a small region in the north of Portugal and is not only one of Portugal's most famous whites, but also one of the world's top seafood partners. Anselmo Mendes has been producing wine for over 20 years and consults throughout Portugal. He focuses on the Alvarinho, Loureiro and Avesso varieties and is known for his innovation in winemaking.