Anselmo Mendes Contacto 2022

The 2022 Alvarinho Contacto comes in at 12.7% alcohol. It is probably just the method of vinification, but this seems a little deeper and a little livelier than the Muros Antigos in this report. The finish here seems a little longer and the wine seems a little tighter, even though this is also refined and polished. There is a certain stylistic similarity in making approachable and gentle Alvarinho this year. This Alvarinho should hold well, but it does need some time to become a little more expressive of the grape. There, the Muros Antigos in its youth is the slight winner. This should improve, though. It should hold for at least the rest of the decade, maybe more, so there is no rush if you give it until this fall or even next spring rather than this summer. It is gentle enough right now that it will be a pleasure to drink this summer too. It seems a step short of exceptional this year.