Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Branco 2023

Vineyards / Chalky clay (Bical) + Sandy (Cercial and Sercialinho). The average vine age is 40 years. Of the 60 hectares of vineyards that the Pato family owns, Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Branco is made with a mixture of three native varieties. These strains have an average age of 15 years old. The Bical variety grows in clay-calcareous soil and the Cerceal and the Sercialinho grown in sandy soils. The team uses environmentally friendly agriculture, and the harvest is carried out manually when the grapes reach optimum ripeness.

This wine is a lot of Bical (50%) on chalky-clay soil, Cerceal (25%) and Sercialinho (25%) on sandy soil. In the winery, the Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Branco grapes are destemmed and gently pressed. The must then ferments in stainless steel tanks for 4 months. Finally, it ages on lees and undergoes malolactic fermentation in new 650-litre Allier French oak barrels for 6 months.

The Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas White wine bears the signature of the winemaker Luis Pato, one of the biggest names in viticulture in Portugal. Made with a cut of Bical, Cerceal and Sercialinho grapes, from old vines located in the Bairrada wine region. A blend of Bical,Cerceal and Sercialinho from old vines, aromas of citrus lemons and grapefruit, dry and medium bodied with mineral undertones and mouth watering acidity on the long finish. This is a label that can be enjoyed now, but it has great storage potential and can age in the bottle for up to a decade.

Great with chicken, fish, and shellfish. Also, great with Asian foods, cured and smoked meats, and light starters, grilled vegetables, and salads.

“What is important is how it tastes. It&s honeyed, and feels rich, but it also has great balancing freshness, and isn&t heavy at all, it hasn&t been oak aged, it weighs in at only 12.5%. The cooling Atlantic helps cool the temperatures in this region, allowing the freshness and drinkability to come forward.
This wine is lovely now, but is built to last, we have tried examples more than 15 years old. A great match to our cod supper.”
- Butler’s Wine Cellar

“Soft Portuguese white with aromas of honey suckle and beeswax. On the palate, honeyed stone fruit and minerality with a green streak running throughout.”