Luis Pato - Quinta do Ribeirinho Sercialinho 2020 (750ml)
Price: $59.99
| Producer | Luis Pato |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Bairrada |
| Varietal | Sercialinho |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 65186 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Luis Pato Description
Luis Pato wines are the result of the association of two traditional families from Bairrada, the Pato family and the Melo Campos family. At the Quinta do Ribeirinho (Ribeirinho Estate) the documents reveal a wine production since the 18th Century. Its activity of wine bottling began in the 1970s.
Affectionately known as the 'King of Bairrada', Luis Pato is the man who has done most to put this region on the modern winemaking map. He is one of Portugal's most controversial winemakers and is a serious player with 65 hectares in production. From 2006 his vineyards are devoted entirely to Portuguese varieties; all international varieties having uprooted. Pato's passion is the Baga grape, and he says his chalky clay soils are perfect for it. Other varieties like Touriga Nacional are grown on sandy soils, in a meticulously planned estate.
A single-varietal white wine crafted entirely from Sercial grapes, showcasing the unique characteristics of this rare Portuguese variety. The viticulture for this wine is rooted in sustainable practices, with vines cultivated in the clay-limestone soils of the Bairrada region.
Tasting Note: Presents a bright citrine color, indicative of its vibrancy and youthfulness. The aromatic profile is layered with notes of citrus and white flowers, complemented by subtle hints of stone fruit and a touch of minerality. On the palate, the wine is fresh and precise, with a balanced acidity that harmonizes with its creamy texture. The finish is long and elegant, leaving impressions of citrus zest and wet stone.
This wine exemplifies Luis Pato's dedication to crafting expressive and terroir-driven wines that honor the traditions of the Bairrada region.
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
The 2020 Branco Quinta do Ribeirinho is a Sercialinho aged for six months in third-use chestnut barrels. It comes in at 12.2% alcohol and was fermented with free-run juice. Sercialinho is a cross of Alvarinho and Madeira's Sercial. The winery's plantings date back to the mid-'60s. Big in power and full-bodied in mouthfeel, this has plenty of intensity and an acidic core. It grabs the palate and lingers on the finish, the acidity cutting through the whole, but this is never shrill, just stern and tense. It will continue to develop, and it probably needs some development, even if it is nicely balanced for drinking now. Pato says it is also capable of aging for some two decades. It just might well be. This hasn't been around long, and I like to be careful, so let's start here, but that may be just a starting point indeed. Drink now to 2035.
