INSIDER'S PICK: 2022 SUSANA ESTEBAN 'AVENTURA' VINHO BRANCO ALENTEJANO $24.99

Portuguese wines are one of the areas for tremendous wine growth over the last few decades, improving in exposure, diversity and quality while still maintaining some of the best values around. Outside of the Douro most regions are not known by consumers for creating much of quality, so for adventurous winemakers like Susana Esteban there are numerous opportunities to make an impact. Galician born, trained in the Douro, Susana found her calling in the Alentejano region in Southeast Portugal and is considered among the fiercest advocates for the older vineyards of their native varieties. This is a true 'field blend' of mixed grapes from one of her younger parcels (a mere 45 years old), but shows of the unique regional style found in the cooler higher altitudes and meticulously kept dry farmed sites. Pretty lime and citrus zest aromas, fresh and almost fruity but always keeping a mineral tangy note even as it opens and gets warmer in the glass. Round and lovely palate that gives all the fruit aromas a juicy flavor, with little prickles of acidity popping up here and there, finishing super clean with a bit of lime and salinity. Lovely wine for warmer weather fish and seafood dishes, citrusy poultry, and will really elevate just about everything around it.

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