Soalheiro Granit 2015

"The 2015 Alvarinho "Granit" is dry, unoaked and comes in at 12.5% alcohol. Luis Cerdeira described this new offering to me this way: "It's an Alvarinho that comes from a specific selection of vineyards planted...above 150 meters altitude, revealing the minerality that relates the soil of granite origin of the terroir. The fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks at a higher temperature than usual in white wine, showing an elegant and more mineral aroma with a dry and persistent flavor." This is pretty fine and another fantastic bargain from Soalheiro. How does it differ practically from the regular Alvarinho, in simple terms? This has a more elegant feel, less concentration. (It will be interesting to see how it does in lighter-styled vintages.) The purity of fruit is special, though. It has that see-through transparency that we sometimes encounter. Of course, there is a hint of green, a fresh feel and a lovely finish. I easily preferred the brilliant regular Alvarinho in this vintage, but there is not much to complain about here and the racy fruit on the finish is rather exciting."