On some of our hottest days of the year, few among us will be thinking about drinking Port over the next few weeks. The famous fortified wine has been the most significant product from the Douro River valley for centuries, but the demand has decreased greatly in the last few decades. To survive, more wineries are having to make wines for all seasons, and the development of more everyday white and red wines has blossomed. The new-found diversity is great for the adventurous consumer, as it brings lesser known grapes and flavors to the table for generally outstanding prices. The Passadouro vineyard has roots back to the famous Niepoort Port house (at one point featured as its own single Quinta bottling), now exemplify the positive changes of the Douro and providing a full portfolio of whites and reds at various prices that deliver the goods.
Built from local grapes varieties Rabigato and Códega do Larinho, the first pour shows lots of lime and green citrus aromas, a bit of cool mint and rainwater, with every signpost pointing towards the wine being completely refreshing. The first sip absolutely follows through with juicy quenching flavors that follow the aromas, nicely rounded on the palate thanks to some extra aging on the lees, bright and tart on the finish with world class levels of nerve that makes you salivate with an almost Pavlovian lack of control. The complexity builds as it gets warmer, but a wine this good won't be in the glass very long to let that happen. A great addition to the everyday rotation and perfect for light seafood dishes.
Built from local grapes varieties Rabigato and Códega do Larinho, the first pour shows lots of lime and green citrus aromas, a bit of cool mint and rainwater, with every signpost pointing towards the wine being completely refreshing. The first sip absolutely follows through with juicy quenching flavors that follow the aromas, nicely rounded on the palate thanks to some extra aging on the lees, bright and tart on the finish with world class levels of nerve that makes you salivate with an almost Pavlovian lack of control. The complexity builds as it gets warmer, but a wine this good won't be in the glass very long to let that happen. A great addition to the everyday rotation and perfect for light seafood dishes.
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