Susana Esteban Tira o Véu branco 2022

RP 92+

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2022 Tira o Véu was fermented in amphorae with 30% of the skins, which stayed in contact with the wine until December, and aged in the same amphorae under a veil of yeast that appeared spontaneously in spring. It has a very discreet, rather restrained nose, and the effect of the flor is very gentle. It has the serious, austere profile typical of the region's whites, with notes of dried herbs and a balsamic, Mediterranean touch. The palate is medium-bodied, with 12.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.34 and 5.7 grams of acidity. It is a little fresher and more vibrant than the 2021 and has a bitterness on the finish reminiscent of some oak-derived flavours. 2,669 bottles were produced. It was bottled in August 2024.

Susana Esteban continues to win praise in Portugal, with good prices and high scores in the local press. She has planted new vines around her winery in Portalegre, but mainly uses grapes from small plots of old vines in the north of the Alentejo, a cooler part of the large appellation, and never blends grapes from different vineyards. Her production is limited to 35,000 bottles.