Dominio do Acor Encruzado 2023

Grape: Encruzado
Vintage: 2023
Type: White

Hailing from the granite-rich foothills of the Serra do Açor in Portugal's renowned Dão region, this cuvée is a masterclass in mountain viticulture. Dominio do Açor—a joint project between legendary Portuguese winemaker Luís Seabra and local grower João Tavares de Pina—focuses on minimal intervention and biodynamic farming to showcase the raw, high-altitude character of the territory. The native Encruzado grapes are grown on high-elevation, decomposed granite soils, where cool mountain breezes keep the fruit crisp and balanced. In the cellar, the wine is crafted with minimal fuss: a spontaneous, native-yeast fermentation in neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel, followed by aging on its fine lees with zero battonage (stirring) to maintain tension. It is bottled with low intervention and minimal added sulfur.

In the glass, it glows a luminous lemon-straw color with bright silver-green edges. The nose is highly refined and mineral-driven, opening with lifted notes of crisp green apple, white peach, crushed granite, lemon verbena, and a faint hint of hazelnut from the fine lees contact. On the palate, a "crystalline" streak of electric, mountain acidity slices right through the grape's natural texture, giving the mid-palate incredible focus and weightless tension. The granite soils imprint a chalky, tactile grip that shapes the mouthfeel without any heavy oak interference. It glides into an exceptionally long, bone-dry finish that leaves a persistent trail of citrus peel, dried mountain herbs, and a savory, mouthwatering punch of crushed stone minerals.