Quinta do Ameal Escolha 2004

The folks at Quita do Ameal say that their aim in life is to do great things with the Loureiro grape variety, and I think they are well on the way.  This is a barrel fermented version, it has been highly acclaimed in the European wine press over the past year or so.  The aromatics on this are fantastic and the palate weight is compelling.  I'm really enjoying these Portuguese whites at the moment.

Its made from Loureiro that is fermented in new French oak barrels.  It is left in barrel for 6 months and gets a fair bit of bâtonnage in that time.  Its not stabilised at all, and only lightly filtered.  Interestingly they recommend an hour in the decanter before you drink it.  Also watch the temperature, not too cold please.

Pale in colour with a light straw colour.  The decanting certainly helps, aromas of vanilla and honeysuckle with a touch of kiwi fruit and smoky pear.  Super texture in the mouth, smooth and oily with a good crack of acid.  Slight nettles with lemon and fennel bulb in the mouth, the finish is long with tangy bitter lemon.  If you are looking for something different this spring, you would do well to have some of this in the fridge.  91 Pts

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $24 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.quintadoameal.com

Quinta do Ameal Loureiro 2005

This is a wine that Gary Walsh would like, its like a cross between hunter semillon and a young riesling.  This wine comes from 12 hectares of Loureiro in the Lima sub region of Vinho Verde and is a low 11.5% alc.  Perfect lunch time hooch.  The owners of this property sold the port house Ramos Pinto at the end of the 80s and started again here, reviving the vineyards and looking to make excellent vinho verde.

Very pale in colour, almost clear actually, with aromas of kiwifruit, lemon, pineapple with a bit of musky grapefruit.  In the mouth it shows lanolin like texture, minerally acid and good length.  The palate shows a similar profile to the nose, but adds a bit of gooseberry, grapefruit and a bit of orange sherbet on the medium length finish.  A very good spring/summer drink.  88 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $24 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.quintadoameal.com