2022 Howard's Folly Branco Reserva
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Tasting notes
Full bottle just 1,140 g. 70-year-old field blend from the São Mameda Mountains in Portalegre at 665 m on slate and granite. Fermented and aged in new French 500-litre barrels and concrete egg for 9 months. Deep honey-gold colour. Arresting, complex nose and quite a rich palate despite the high elevation. Oak – just – in the background of fruit that is so concentrated that almost tasted sweet. Ripe tannins but sufficient structure and acidity to suggest this should age pretty well. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Reserva Branco feels quite oaky and has abundant spice, toast and smoke, coupled with a light palate and shy flavors. It was produced with a field blend of traditional varieties from old vines. It fermented in 500-liter barrels and concrete eggs, where it matured for 12 months. It's fresh and quite straightforward, easy to understand. 4,000 bottles produced.
About the producer
A joint project from British entrepreneur Howard Bilton and Australian winemaker David Baverstock, Howard’s Folly is a boutique wine producer in the Alentejo. Working with old vines and indigenous grapes largely in the cooler Portalegre, they craft fresh and modern expressions of the region.