Six to try from the Azores
Azores Wine Co, António Maçanita, Arinto dos Açores Sur Lies, Pico, Portugal 2015
94 £40 Red Squirrel Crystalline and great purity yet with a prism of focused, intense flavours: mineral saline, citrus and very subtle vegetal and herbal notes (lemon barley and curry leaf). Finishes, firm, very fresh; terrific energy. Drink 2017-2022 Alcohol 13%
Azores Wine Co, António Maçanita, Terrantez do Pico, Açores, Portugal 2015
92 £50 Red Squirrel An expressive, textural nose and palate with white pepper, ponzu, glimmers of pink grapefruit and green mango. Briny, earthy, pungently spicy undertones build on the lingering finish. Very singular. Drink 2017-2022 Alc 12.5%
Azores Wine Co, António Maçanita, Original Verdelho, Pico, Portugal 2015
89 £ 28-£ 35 Just Be Café, Red Squirrel, Vinarius A relatively fruity, cucumberscented, rounded nose and palate with succulent, tropical green fruit to the mid-palate and gently nutty, waxy, salty, spicy nuances to the finish. Drink 2017-2020 Alc 13%
Curral Atlântis, Terrantez do Pico-Arinto dos Açores-Verdelho, Açores, Portugal 2015
88 N/A UK +351 292 622 354 The Terrantez imparts a subtle savoury dimension to this super-tangy blend, with sweet and sour citrus, a herbal edge and a rock salt-flecked lingering, juicy finish. Wears its alcohol lightly. Drink 2017-2018 Alc 14.5%
Azores Wine Co, Saborinho, Açores, Portugal 2015 90
Drink £50 Red Squirrel Known as Tinta Negra in Madeira, this is an intriguing pale ruby, perfumed red with jewel-bright pomegranate fruit, pomegranate pith and softer orange peel and dark cooking chocolate-edged sweet, dried red cherry. Al dente Atlantic acidity carries a long finish. 2017-2018 Alc 12.5%
Czar, Vinho Licoroso Superior Seco, Verdelho-Arinto dos Açores-Terrantez do Pico, Pico, Portugal 2009
94 N/A UK www.czarwine. pt This dry licoroso is a first for Czar – Garcia’s naturally fermented, unfortified wines usually end up medium-sweet. Finely honed and nutty with desiccated orange peel, herbal and wood spice, honey and a very persistent finish. Drink 2017-2020 Alc 20%
For full UK stockist details, see p106