Douro Bianco 'Antão do Deserto' Mateus Nicolau de Almeida 2019

The Douro Bianco ‘Antão do Deserto’ from the Portuguese producer Mateus Nicolau de Almeida is an authentic and crystalline expression of the local grape variety Rabigato. This bottle belongs to the ‘Eremitas’ selection, which includes three different interpretations of the white grape variety Rabigato from three different plots, all located in the Douro Superior production area. The winemaking process adopted is the same for each parcel, in order to reveal the purest soul of each vineyard. The label depicts the savel, known as alosa alosa in Italian, a fish that once, before the construction of the dams, swam up the Douro River from the Atlantic Ocean.

‘Antão do Deserto’ Eremitas Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Douro Bianco is a 100% Rabigato from a single plot rooted in deep yellow-brown schist soil that is not very rocky, located near a stream. The vines, situated at 350 meters above sea level with full south exposure, are cultivated under certified organic integrated farming practices.from biodynamic practices. The harvest is carried out entirely by hand and the grapes are then crushed whole for 3 hours in the calcatórium, a shallow open granite tank. This is followed by pressing and spontaneous alcoholic fermentation of the must in cement tanks without temperature control, the same type of wine containers where the mass remains to mature for a year before final bottling.

The Rabigato Douro Bianco Mateus Nicolau de Almeida Eremitas ‘Antão do Deserto’ is a light straw yellow color. The nose unfolds with delicate notes of yellow peach, apricot, citrus, and rosehip, supported by a pleasant mineral background. On the palate, it reveals a rich and enveloping body, balanced by vibrant freshness in a rich and persistent finish, slightly aromatic.