2017 Quinta de San Michel Arinto white

The Quinta de San Michel Arinto white is produced exclusively from the Arinto grape variety, grown on clay-limestone soils and benefiting from a temperate Mediterranean climate with maritime influence. This wine is aged for 9 months in used French oak barrels, followed by 24 months in the bottle, giving it a distinctive maturity.

Straw yellow in colour with hints of gold, the nose shows discreet aromas of green apple, lemon, fennel and menthol, complemented by soft notes of dried fruit and slight toast. On the palate, it reveals a marked tension and vibrant acidity, reflecting the influence of the limestone soils. Arinto's characteristic minerality is accompanied by an intense salinity on the finish, which provides a unique texture. The wine's slight evolution amplifies the complexity in its persistent finish.

The Quinta de San Michel, located in the village of Janas, Sintra, is part of the historic wine-growing region of Colares, between the Serra de Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean. Since 2013, with vineyards planted on two hectares, the family has been producing exclusive wines that reflect the quinta's unique terroir. Focussing on indigenous grape varieties such as Arinto, Malvasia de Colares and Galego Dourado, the Quinta expanded in 2023 to a further five hectares, with the emphasis on Malvasia de Colares and Ramisco, on sandy soils typical of the region.

(image is for illustrative purposes)