Arinto is our pick to be the next big grape to captivate the world's attention. It's a local Portuguese varietal, that's mid to late ripening which develops layers of complexity and depth.

For this truly exceptional example, the grapes underwent whole-bunch pressing and were left to rest in tank for 24 hours before the must was decanted into barrels. Fermentation with ambient yeast took place in used French oak barriques with malolactic fermentation and periodical bâtonnage.

The vintage matured on lees and aged in the same barriques for 24 months before being transferred to a stainless steel tank laid horizontally and left for an additional 12 months prior to bottling.

Mark Bedford visited the Quinta in May coinciding with the exclusive release of this wine.  His tasting note reads:

Simply put, Quinta de Sant’Ana’s Marreco Arinto 2018 has been the finest white wine that I have tasted in the past 12 months.  The wine does not play single notes but performs a full orchestra across the tasting spectrum.  High soprano notes expressed in the racy acidity to the base notes of extended ageing on lees and 24 months in old oak.  Then within this ‘broad-band’ of flavour are elements of pear, tarte aux pommes and clove.  Swirl the wine around a large glass and the bouquet is endlessly entertaining while on the palate it is deeply satisfying with a length that takes you a long way downstream.  Two barrels produced 634 bottles.  24 bottles came to the UK, and Caviste has them all.

Origin: Lisbon, Portugal

Alcohol: 14.0%

Blend: Arinto