2015 Quinta do Ameal Solo Loureiro DO

Intense, wild, raw, deeply textural, pure and unadulterated. Solo is darting and nuanced, herbal with lemon (pith-and-rind) and bay tells. The palate twists and twines with essence of bay and a trace of powdery tannin; there's lilt within the intensity, and a nice saline brace to finish. The wine's body is outstanding: power and creamy-softness with mineral line and great freshness.

Solo (meaning a tribute to soil, in this case QDA's yellow granite) is an un-sulphured and pretty much untouched wine. Pedro selects a particular part of the vineyard, whacks it in a vat, yeasts do their thing including a partial malo that adds textural development, and then it's parked in bottle. The only real touch is a light filtration with the protection of an inert gas blanket to avoid oxidisation. Only 2,500 bottles produced.

Minor label damage, ullage 15mm from cork.