2024 Quinta do Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas

Full bottle 1,154 g. The cork was so hard to extract, I nearly gave up. From their first plot of vines planted in 1974, plus fruit from other vines aged 30+ that are farmed by more than 80 farmers in their ‘Viticulturists’ Club’. All hand-harvested on the same day. Fermented mostly in stainless steel, with 15% in old barrels and bigger casks. The wine ages for 6 months on lees with lees stirring. TA 6.9, pH 3.17.
Deep and inviting aroma of fresh pears, crushed stones and herby citrus. Intense, gently chewy in texture and vibrant in lime and fresh herbs. Masses of tension and freshness and a long finish. Youthful – will be even better with at least another year or two in bottle. Very primary now and a touch austere. Needs time to show its full self. 16.5 points