2023 Quinta do Soalheiro - Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho

The 2023 Primeiras Vinhas feels closed, backward, shy and undeveloped, serious and a little austere. It comes, of course, from the first family vineyard they planted in 1974. The wine feels especially complete and balanced, with good ripeness, more complexity and depth but also with more freshness, possibly reflecting the cooler year. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, used barriques and a 5,000-liter oak vat and, since 2021, also two oak foudres. The part in oak represents perhaps 15% of the volume, but it does not play a part in the aromatics or flavors. The wine is elegant, has terrific balance and feels subtle and precise, clean and fresh. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2024. It should develop nicely in bottle.