Anselmo Mendes Expressões Alvarinho 2019

The Wine Advocate
RP 94

Luis Gutiérrez: Expressões 2021 is an Alvarinho from Quinta da Torre, a blend of eight different soils, the eight textures they identified on the property, selected directly in the vineyard (they do not use a selection table). The wine seeks to be an expression of the place, and not of a specific plot or type of soil. It was fermented in used 400-liter barrels, where it also aged for nine months on total lees, and was kept in the bottle for at least 18 months before being released.

It presents the volume of the alluvial soils and the freshness of the year, with developed aromas and optimal acidity, 12.5% alcohol, pH of 3.32 and 6.5 grams of sugar. It is balanced, perfect to drink now, but also with potential for aging in the bottle. 6,000 bottles were produced. Bottling took place in June 2022.

I spent a fantastic hour and a half with Anselmo Mendes, between Porto and his Quinta da Torre in Melgaço, and learned so much about Vinho Verde, Alvarinho and Loureiro that I could hardly believe it.

In 2023, the harvest took place at the end of August, but in 2024, they started harvesting Alvarinho 15 days later, from mid-September — making a big difference, allowing for a slower ripening of the grapes in 2024. The difference was caused by the temperature variation between day and night in September, which caused a longer cycle, resulting in greater development of aromas and flavors in the grapes.

Published: March 27, 2025