Description

Reserva has an intense yellow to golden-yellow colour. On the nose are elegant and persistent aromas with undertones of barrel aging, complemented by the ever-present freshness and fruit of the Alvarinho variety. The flavour is complex and full-bodied.

Soalheiro Reserva has enough character to be enjoyed with or without food. Due to its acidity and maturation in oak, it is a perfect wine to be paired with dishes traditionally more associated with red wines. When pairing with a meal, the best choices include fatty fish dishes, red meat, goat, lamb, turkey, duck, game dishes, chicken and anything with mushrooms or cream sauce, but it also pairs well with Asian and Mediterranean gastronomies.

One of the top properties producing Vinho Verde, Soalheiro is based in Melgaço, and specializes in the Alvarinho grape variety. They own 6 hectares, and the largest vineyard is just one hectare. The winery is run by Luís Cerdeira, son of the founder, and his brother João and sister Maria, who doubles as a vet. The grapes are harvested manually and carried immediately to the cellar in small boxes to retain absolute freshness. The aim of the vinification process is to obtain a wine that captures the quality of the grapes and creates conditions that promote evolution in the bottle.

Reserva started as an experiment in 1995, when Soalheiro was one of the first to explore the marriage between Alvarinho and French oak. After much experimentation, in 2006 they developed the style of Reserva that exists today. This wine reveals Alvarinho in its essence, as the used French oak barrels do not mask the characteristics of the grape variety. The nuances of the barrel are well integrated, complimenting the aroma and flavour of Alvarinho while adding a new dimension of structure and complexity.

"The 2022 Alvarinho Reserva is a barrel-fermented Alvarinho. They first produced this wine in 1995 after winemaker Luis Cerdeira staged in Burgundy at the end of his studies. At first, he used new barrels that marked the wine too much and soon realized Alvarinho needed something subtler. The big change was with the 2006 vintage. Now, 25% of the wine is in first- and second-year 225- and 600-liter oak barrels, with the rest in used, more neutral ones. 2022 was a dry and warm year, and the wine already has some honeyed hints. It's a little spicy and has a gentle palate, 13% alcohol and good freshness and acidity. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2023. Drink to 2029."
92 points.
Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate (April 2024)