Quinta dos Carvalhais Branco Especial NV
The Branco Especial is a hugely complex white made from a blend of wines from seven different vintages aged in barrel for many years in the medieval cellar at the Quinta dos Carvalhais estate. For each vintage the grapes (Encruzado, Gouveio (Verdelho) & Semillon amongst others) were harvested by hand into small 20kg boxes and then loaded directly into the pneumatic press upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks after which the wines underwent extended periods of ageing in used 225-litre French oak barriques. After several tastings of the component parts, the final blend was assembled and left for a period of time to marry before being bottled. Bright golden in colour, the Branco Especial has huge intensity and complexity of aroma on the nose with well-defined aromas of apple, dried fruits and honey married with brioche and warm spicy notes. The wine is rich with extraordinary body on the palate balanced by a lively acidity. An elegant, complex and very sophisticated white wine.
