Fitapreta Vinhos a Laranja Mecânica

Fitapreta Vinhos a Laranja Mecânica, Alentejo, Portugal NV (750ml)

TASTING NOTES

This is Antonio Maçanita's Clockwork Orange. Arinto, Roupeiro, Verdelho, Antão Vaz, Alincante Branco, Trincadeira-das-Pratas, Fernão Pires make up the Alentejo coferment blend, from various granite-soiled vineyards and vines 15-50 years old. After the first whole bunch pressing, 10-15% of the remaining juice macerated on the skins for a week, and then was pressed again and reunited with the whole, where it native fermented. It remained in stainless on lees until it was bottled, unfiltered, the following fall.

It is a field blend of typical grapes (like Arinto, Roupeiro, Verdelho, Antão Vaz, Alicante Branco and Fernão Pires).

There's a lovely completeness to this orange wine, with layers of mandarin, Asian pear, quince, green apple, laced with kaffir lime and deftly textured via the skin contact and grippy granitic soils. Acidity is bright, and the finish lingers with ample salinity, encouraging ample smashability.