Palpite Branco 2021

The 2021 Palpite Reserva Branco is a blend of Arinto (70%), Tamarez (5%) and the rest a field blend. It was aged for 15 months in 20% new French barrels. It comes in at 13.2% alcohol. Antonio Maçanita makes or participates in making a lot of cutting-edge whites, many on display in this report for different producer names (Azores Wine Company, Maçanita Vinhos), but this is a fairly standard one. It's a straight-ahead oaked white that has some distinction and will work great as a food wine. The wood does show, but it is hardly overwhelming and may well recede with even a little aging. Meanwhile, it is very elegant and has a fresh feel underneath. It's bright and refreshing for an oaked white, something that sparkles a bit (figuratively speaking). This is a pleasure to drink today, but it may well improve over the next couple of years. It should hold throughout the decade, more or less.