Taboadella Encruzado 2023 White Wine

Taboadella Encruzado is a distinguished white wine from Portugal's Dão region, produced by the Taboadella winery. This wine is a single-varietal, made exclusively from the Encruzado grape, which is celebrated as one of Portugal's finest white varieties. Taboadella leverages its unique terroir, particularly sheltered highlands with granitic soils, to cultivate this grape, allowing it to express its best characteristics. The winemaking process is meticulous, as Encruzado benefits from careful handling to prevent oxidation, and often involves lees contact and barrel maturation to enhance complexity and introduce nutty, toasty notes.

On the tasting notes, the Taboadella Encruzado typically displays a crystalline brilliance with a citrus to straw-yellow color. The aroma offers a complex bouquet of citrus notes, white stone fruits, melon, and often floral overtones, which can evolve into hazelnut, resin, and subtle spice with age. On the palate, it's described as firm and exuberant, with a silky, waxy, and creamy texture balanced by a crisp, linear, mineral acidity. This full-bodied and lively wine, with notable depth and a long finish, pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes. It's ideal for seafood, rich fish, structured white meats, creamy risottos, and aged or semi-soft cheeses.