Oscar’s Branco

The 2019 Oscar’s Branco is a blend of 44% Viosinho, 30% Gouveio and 26% Códega do Larinho, unoaked and coming in at 13% alcohol. From what the producer called “a dry year,” this regular Branco feels concentrated and beautifully structured. The fruit is young, of course, but even so, it seems like just-crushed grapes with unctuous texture. With air and warmth, it shows tension on the finish and some lift to the fruit. It finishes dry and fresh. This looks like another overachiever—at least in its youth. The only remaining question is how well it might age and develop. Under screwcap, it should hold a reasonable time, maybe longer than anticipated, but it is certainly a wine that will do especially well young and fresh. That is pretty much what it is made for. That said, right now, in the middle of spring, it was even a little undeveloped and disjointed. It will come around reasonably quickly, but it should start showing well this summer.” 89 points. June 2020.