Singular 2019

The 2019 Singular is 45% a field blend from old vines (with grapes like Avesso, Malvasia and Rabigato and vines ranging 60 to 100 years old), plus 24% Alvarinho, 11% Malvasia Fina and 10% each of Avesso and Arinto. It was partly (15% of the juice) aged for six months in used French oak. It comes in at 13% alcohol, 5.2 grams of residual sugar and 6.8 grams of total acidity. The acidity provides good balance for the modest sugar, so this still shows dry. The latest release in the mini-vertical this issue, this has the advantage of freshness first and foremost. Just smelling it makes this seem exuberant and lively. You can tell it is the youngest without tasting it. It doesn't seem as big or as complex as the 2017, but it is far more refreshing. It makes the more stolid 2018 look dull. This 2019 looks like it has some upside potential because of its superior freshness. Let's lean up a bit just for that potential, but it certainly is true that the 2017 shows far better today. This runs nine euros in Portugal. There were approximately 15,000 bottles produced.