Quinta do Romeu Branco "Especial" Douro '16

For those of you who have experienced the Branco Reserva from Quinta do Romeu in the past, please know that this wine is a totally different experience.

This is not a white wine for everyone, rather a wine made in an oxidative style. 

The 2016 Branco “Especial” is produced from the very best grapes, hand-picked, sorted, and gently pressed. The blend is a mixture of indigenous Portuguese varieties, including Gouveio, Viosinho, Arinto, and Rabigato. The grapes and skins are left in contact for five days without temperature control. Spontaneous fermentation occurs in large and used Stockinger barrels (Austrian oak). The wine ages in this barrel for 18 months, without topping up. 

The result is a truly unique experience. Aromas of orange blossom, beeswax, and dried fruits are at play alongside those aforementioned oxidative notes, such as hazelnuts. There is medium weight on the palate, plenty of mineral notes, and fresh acidity. An extremely complex white wine that tastes great now but can evolve in bottle over another few years.

Pair this with a classic salt cod preparation such as Bacalhau a Gomes de Sá. It will be magical.