Quinta do Crasto Branco Superior 2017

The 2017 Branco Superior, last seen in Porto just before bottling, is now in bottle and in the USA. It is a 60/40 blend of Viosinho and Verdelho aged for six months in 50% used French oak (although 15% had acacia heads). It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This seems to have developed just as I'd hoped. It is a big step up over the regular Branco (not reviewed again this issue). Concentrated and showing fine persistence, it is intense on the finish. The acidity is over seven grams per liter and lifts the fruit. Yet it is also well balanced in every respect. The acidity doesn't seem shrill at all. It holds the oak well too. At this point, the wood affects the texture more than anything else. It is nicely done. There should be no rush—it will age pretty well. It is also drinking well now. There were 39,000 bottles produced.