PV Tasting Notes
This 2009 Alvarinho is a lovely wine, graceful, precise and crisp, yet full of fruit. It almost sneaks up on you as it develops in the glass, there’s good underlying acidity, seems almost bright and sunny, with juicy acidity there are touches of grapefruit, grass and nectarine. The finish is not only lingering, but grips with waves of fruit coating the tongue. Drink now-2013. Tasted Feb 2010.
Independent Review89 Points Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate April 2010
The 2008 ALVARINHO, at 12.5% alcohol, is less exhilarating than the Clemen reviewed this issue, but deeper and richer. Both are lovely in their own ways, and both improved with air, but this improved the most with time. Wide open, with intense flavors, this Alvarinho is in a laid-back, friendly and fruity style at this point in its life that is going to make it a lot of friends. That said, as it sits and warms up, it shows quite a nice burst of acidity and more intensity than I thought it had at first. While you are evaluating it, you may find yourself refilling your glass. I liked it more and more with time. It should hold longer, but I suspect it is as good as it will ever be right now. Drink now through-2012.
Quinta das Touquinheiras made its first impression during a blind tasting competition of Vinho Verde wines, winning the coveted Vinho Verde Award.
This led José Luis Gonçalves de Araújo to purchase more vineyards, and in 1995, the wine Touquinheiras Alvarinho made its first appearance. Quinta das Touquinheiras is a 14 hectare estate winery located in the northern region of Vinho Verde. In 2001, the daughter of José Luis Gonçalves de Araújo, Clementina Araújo, took the leadership of the production.
The winery now produces Touquinheiras Alvarinho, and Clémen (a blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura grapes). The most utmost of care is taken in both the vineyard and the winery. All grapes are 100% hand-harvested to ensure quality of fruit, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing and extended maceration at controlled temperatures.
The high quality of the grapes, combined with the skill of winemaker, Anselmo Mendes (one of Portugal´s top oenologists), creates wine of true character, passion, purity and integrity.