I’ve long been a fan of Amantis red, a blend of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional. It is a red I often choose to pair with a nice steak but, until now, I had never tried the white which is a varietal made from the Viognier grape.
Amantis comes from the Dona Maria winery in the northern Alentejo, just outside the historic city of Estremoz.
Winemaker Júlio Bastos has a small portfolio of high-quality wines, with the main label Dona Maria in red, white and rosé being the best known and all costing around €10.
The Amantis label sits midway in the portfolio costing around €15 and is widely available. This white Viognier Reserva (€15.95 at Apolónia) ferments in used French oak barrels followed by six months of bâtonnage.
The oak is very well integrated, enhancing the notes of pear and some tropical fruit. In the mouth, the wine has considerable body, a silky-smooth texture and firm acidity. A white that will definitely benefit from a few more years of bottle-ageing, but this 2020 is already drinking very well.
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