Casa da Passarella ‘A Descoberta’ Branco 2019

Casa da Passarella is located in the dramatic landscape of the Serra de Estrela, a granitic mountain range within the Dão region, Portugal. The climate here is continental with long sunny days and cool nights. That means optimal ripeness and freshness retention. And that’s what this wine is about.

Encruzado, malvasia fina and verdelho are given a brief skin contact before being pressed and co-fermented. The nose opens with white flowers, Santa Claus melon and apricot until the smell of wild herbs, moss and flint takes over. It has gained some weight after spending 6 months on lees without losing that crystalline purity. One only needs a couple of sips to start picturing rain water dripping on mountainous rocks. Brightness and purity are only reinstated with a cool minty finish.