Anselmo Mendes has been making the best Alvarinho and basic Vinho Verdes for a number of years. However, 2015 will go down as one of the finest vintages for his wines. They were all recently reviewed by Robert Parkers Wine Advocate by Mark Squires.
‘Anselmo Mendes is one of the region's top names. These are made like real table wines--dry, no fizz. Just good expressions of fruit. At the lower end, the bargains are often remarkable, especially this year for the 2015 releases. Back up the truck and you'll be happy this summer and for a while. They tend to always exceed regional stereotypes for aging potential. On the other hand, market conditions do not always mirror what I see in the winery and there is no law that says you have to age them. Most drink great when they are young, too.’
Muros Antigos Vinho Verde 2015
‘The 2015 Muros Antigos Escolha is an equal blend of Loureiro and Avesso, with 20% Alvarinho. It comes in dry and at 12.5% alcohol. A wonderful performance and value this year (I know--I'm beginning to sound like a broken record), this shows good concentration, expressive fruit and fine tension on the finish. One of the best Escolha blends in this brand that I've seen, this is another no-brainer purchase this year.’
Robert Parker 90 Points
Muros Antigos Alvarinho 2015, Vinho Verde
‘The 2015 Alvarinho Muros Antigos is dry and comes in at 12.5% alcohol. Another beautiful bargain from Mendes in this vintage, this shows impeccable balance, underlying power and fine concentration of fruit. The finish is lingering and gripping. Feel free to obsess over the wonderfully expressive fruit, by the way. Transparent, fresh and simply delicious, this touches all the bases. I'm not quite sure this young Alvarinho matches some super offerings in this brand in the past (e.g., 2008), but it seems to be right there just now. We'll see what the future tells us when we get there, but this is another no-brainer purchase from Mendes this issue. It should hold well, too, but let's be a bit conservative there just now.’
Robert Parker 92 Points
Contacto Alvarinho 2015, Vinho Verde
‘The 2015 Alvarinho Contacto is all Alvarinho and comes in at 13% alcohol. It is dry and unoaked, sourced from vines averaging 15 years in age. If I wasn't quite as thrilled with the 2013 and 2014, this vintage is letting it all hang out. Richer than its Muros Antigos sibling, if you're wondering, this has mouth-coating fruit and beautiful structure. It tightens with air on the finish, showing fine tension. Give it some air and it demonstrates transparency and refinement, too. Its broad, classic flavors roll over the tongue. The fruit is delectable. It is a brilliant Contacto, perhaps the best yet. Admittedly, it was tasted very young, not too long after bottling. It has some questions to answer in the cellar, but the worst it might be is exceptional. It's also another Mendes bargain to buy by the case and sip on the porch this summer and for a few years to come. It has the stuffing to hold up to food, too, and it should age well.’ Robert Parker 92 Points
