Quinta de Saes Encruzado 2023 750ml
2023 - Portugal - Portugal - White - 750ml - 135 ILS
Encruzado is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest white grape, and in the cool granite soils of Dão it produces wines of remarkable precision and longevity. Quinta de Saes showcases the variety in a style that combines vibrant citrus and white orchard fruit with delicate floral aromas, a pronounced mineral backbone, and the freshness that has become the hallmark of the region. Fermentation and maturation in used French oak, together with bâtonnage, add subtle texture and complexity without overshadowing the purity of the fruit. The 2023 vintage is elegant rather than powerful, offering notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, ripe pear and white peach, complemented by hints of wild herbs and crushed stone. The palate is tense and vibrant, balancing crisp acidity with a silky, almost Burgundian texture and a long, saline finish. While delicious in its youth alongside seafood, grilled fish or creamy poultry dishes, it has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 5–10 years, developing greater richness and complexity.