I enjoyed this: it’s the first time I’ve had a Portuguese Chenin Blanc.
Now Portugal is blessed with a wide array of its own varieties, so you might ask why any serious Portuguese wine grower would look elsewhere for foreign varieties to play with. But Chenin could be a worthy exception to this rule, because it is such a wonderful variety.
This wine hasn’t been universally well received (just commended at both Decanter World Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge), but I think it’s pretty good, in an understated sort of way. It actually tastes of Chenin, which is a good thing.
Ribafreixo Connections Chenin Blanc 2012 Portugal
From the Alentejo, Paulo Laureano is the consultant winemaker here. Citrussy, fresh and subtly herbal with a hint of honey, as well as some apple and pear. Very good acidity and lovely presence, this is an attractive crisp dry white with some marked varietal character. 89/100
Find this wine with wine-searcher.com
5 Comments on A rarity, a Portuguese Chenin Blanc
Well I never! Riesling next!!
Bob Alberta.
Bob – go to http://www.quintadesantana.com for your Portguese Riesling (and Pinot Noir)!
If it works for the wine maker and the consumer, then why not?
More power to the Portuguese wine makers!
Cheers!
Solomon Mengeu
Great to read your review. We recently visited Ribafreixo & had the privilege of tasting this wine at the winery. As a first vintage, it shows great potential. We certainly enjoyed it.
Dear Jamie, thanks a lot for the review.
If you want to find this wine in the UK please do contact Emanuel Bernardo (+ 44 7963 296 507), our UK Account Manager and he will tell you where to find this wine and the other wines that Ribafreixo is producing. For the people that doesn’t know our brand or our products please check our corporate vídeo on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7EmHfibr-0&feature=youtu.be
Best regards!