2021 Quinta da Carolina 'Xis' Branco, Douro

Luis Pedro is the current renowned winemaker of legendary producer, Niepoort. Quinta da Carolina is his family property which makes high-quality, small-batch wines. Xis is the top white wine Luis makes, born from a search for the best high-altitude single-parcel vineyards in the Douro Valley. This wine is made from 90+-year-old vines planted on extreme slate/schist soils. The vineyard is planted with mostly Malvasia Fina, among other varieties in this very old field blend (including Gouveio, Rabigato, Dona Branca and Viosinho). Only 620 bottles of this wine are made.

The wine is an elegant, mineral-driven white with delicate aromas of citrus, lemon, and ocean spray. The palate is brilliantly vibrant with crunchy acidity and minerality running throughout. It is light on its feet but also has a dense creamy centre of fresh apple, pink grapefruit, and a touch of hazelnut. An incredibly long finish with a generous tension; great potential for long ageing.