This is a field blend in the most traditional sense—a co-fermented medley of Encruzado, Bical, and Cerceal, with splashes of Fernão Pires and Barcelo. In the glass, it reveals a brilliant, straw-yellow hue that hints at the vibrancy to follow. The nose is a dizzying, evolving bouquet: imagine ripe apricots and orange blossoms meeting a savory, herbaceous edge of mint, dried basil, and a wisp of wet slate.

On the palate, there is a remarkable tension between weight and lift. The Encruzado provides a silky, almost creamy texture, while the old-vine acidity brings a persistent, briny minerality that reminds us of the Atlantic influence. It is dry, focused, and impeccably balanced—a far cry from the over-manipulated whites often found at this price point.