'Escolha' Loureiro 2017

'Escolha' means selection; this is the very best, and most mature fruit (in terms of potential alcohol, and therefore vinosity) of the Ameal land. Extremely gentle pressing of the whole grapes preceeds a cold soak and then fermentation and ageing (with batonnage) in old Nevers oak barriques for 6 months (oak adds nothing to the wine except deep stabilisation of the wine's rich intensity). Escolha is bottled direct from cask with the lightest possible filtration and no further stabilisation. 4,000 bottles only. Note, some of this action is outside DOC VV rules, so this is effectively an IGT, labeled as a Vinho Regional Minho, a regional non-DO classification. 11.5% a/v. Pedro made Escolha in his second vintage, 2000, and that wine is rocking on very nicely indeed ...

Clear and bright, Escolha is filled with honeysuckle and candied lemon, pastry dough, acacia florals, and orange blossom. Fruitiness has a smoky vanilla counterpoint, which moderates but does not mask Loureiro's explosive florality. This is a really deep, wide textural wine featuring stunning complex acidity with a volatile nip. The wine journeys out, back, down and away, through the palate and deep into the throat. A butterfly effect of deep-set bay kicks back in an apiglottal rebirth. Utterly alive, long, and complex, Escolha benefits from decanting and is a prime candidate for extended bottle ageing.