Carlos Raposo Impecável Encruzado Branco DOC Dão 2022

A pure celebration of Encruzado, the queen white grape of the Dão, made 100% from the variety that was born in this region. No wood, moderate alcohol, all freshness and gastronomy — a wine of pure pleasure.

The fruit comes from 30–50 year-old vineyards in Terras de Senhorim, the Dão sub-region best suited to whites, on granite soils. Hand-harvested into 15 kg crates, whole-bunch selected, gently handled and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with malolactic and six months' ageing in tank before bottling.

Citrine-yellow, clear and bright. Aromatically intense with yellow-fleshed fruit — peach and nectarine — lifted by jasmine. The palate echoes the peach and floral notes over a firm, well-integrated acidity, with good volume yet a lightness that keeps it drinking easily. Long, refreshing finish.

Region: Dão (Terras de Senhorim), Portugal
Grape Variety: 100% Encruzado
Vineyards: 30–50 years, granite, 400–600 m
Winemaking: Stainless steel, malolactic, 6 months on lees; unwooded
Alcohol: 13% · Total acidity: 6.5 g/L · pH: 3.2
Production: 4,064 bottles
Vegan friendly: Yes

Impecável is the Dão range from Carlos Raposo's World Wild Wines — pure, elegant, gastronomic wines built to celebrate good food and good company. Raposo, born in the Dão, trained seven years in Bordeaux and Burgundy before nearly a decade making the icons at Niepoort (Batuta, Coche, Redoma Reserva); these are his own wines, from 30–50 year-old vineyards on the region's granite soils, made without wood so the fruit and the place speak clearly.