The Story
Soalheiro Alvarinho Clássico 2024 is a vibrant, beautifully textured, and benchmark expression of Alvarinho that highlights the exceptional terroir of Portugal's Vinho Verde region. Crafted exclusively from grapes grown in the sun-drenched subregion of Monção e Melgaço, it pours a brilliant lemon-yellow hue. The nose is highly expressive and fresh, unfolding with an aromatic bouquet of crisp green apple, white peach, and vibrant citrus, gracefully layered with delicate floral nuances. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied, svelte, and intensely mineral-driven. Delivering a pure core of tropical fruit and zesty grapefruit, it is perfectly balanced by a lively, mouthwatering acidity, culminating in a long, pristine, and saline-laced finish accented by a signature dry granite touch.
Food Pairing: Excellent as an apéritif, it pairs beautifully with fresh seafood, grilled white fish, light summer salads, delicate poultry dishes, and mildly aged cheeses.
91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The extremely young classical 2024 Alvarinho felt very reductive after the very recent bottling, and it remained difficult to read even after a couple of hours in the glass. This was the first wine produced by the family back in 1982, a varietal with floral aromas and good ripeness and freshness, noted by 12.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.17 coupled with 6.4 grams of acidity. Here, they don't do skin contact or malolactic, as they're trying to keep the purity and freshness, and they ferment it with neutral yeasts and keep it unoaked with lees for at least two months. All their wines have the dry granite finish, even the entry-level ones. 385,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025. In my experience, this wine is much better with a little time in bottle. I'd wait at least until next year to pull the cork.
90 Points - James Suckling
Salt, white peaches and lemons on the nose. The palate is fresh and round, with clean, precise acidity. An easygoing, approachable and refreshing wine. Drink now.
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This estate, whose winery faces Spain across the Minho river, is devoted to Alvarinho. This is an intense wine, rich with white and citrus fruits and a fine, creamy character. It is likely to age further, drink from 2025. Suitable for vegans.
Description
Soalheiro Alvarinho Clássico 2024 is a vibrant, beautifully textured, and benchmark expression of Alvarinho that highlights the exceptional terroir of Portugal's Vinho Verde region. Crafted exclusively from grapes grown in the sun-drenched subregion of Monção e Melgaço, it pours a brilliant lemon-yellow hue. The nose is highly expressive and fresh, unfolding with an aromatic bouquet of crisp green apple, white peach, and vibrant citrus, gracefully layered with delicate floral nuances. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied, svelte, and intensely mineral-driven. Delivering a pure core of tropical fruit and zesty grapefruit, it is perfectly balanced by a lively, mouthwatering acidity, culminating in a long, pristine, and saline-laced finish accented by a signature dry granite touch.
Food Pairing: Excellent as an apéritif, it pairs beautifully with fresh seafood, grilled white fish, light summer salads, delicate poultry dishes, and mildly aged cheeses.
91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The extremely young classical 2024 Alvarinho felt very reductive after the very recent bottling, and it remained difficult to read even after a couple of hours in the glass. This was the first wine produced by the family back in 1982, a varietal with floral aromas and good ripeness and freshness, noted by 12.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.17 coupled with 6.4 grams of acidity. Here, they don't do skin contact or malolactic, as they're trying to keep the purity and freshness, and they ferment it with neutral yeasts and keep it unoaked with lees for at least two months. All their wines have the dry granite finish, even the entry-level ones. 385,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025. In my experience, this wine is much better with a little time in bottle. I'd wait at least until next year to pull the cork.
90 Points - James Suckling
Salt, white peaches and lemons on the nose. The palate is fresh and round, with clean, precise acidity. An easygoing, approachable and refreshing wine. Drink now.
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This estate, whose winery faces Spain across the Minho river, is devoted to Alvarinho. This is an intense wine, rich with white and citrus fruits and a fine, creamy character. It is likely to age further, drink from 2025. Suitable for vegans.
