The 2012 Alvarinho was tank aged and bottled in January, 2013. It comes in at 12.5% alcohol. It is just what most will want in fine Alvarinho. The winery calls 2012 a “perfect harvest.” The end result seems quite brilliant. Crisp, focused and pure, with just a bit of a lemon-y note early on, it is a beautifully wrought, very precise and very concentrated Alvarinho. It is intense, yet transparent and expressive. It lingers wonderfully on the finish, showing more and more grip as it goes along. There is a touch of herbaceousness as well, which gives it some individuality and a lot of personality, plus an invigorating character. Hours later, it was notably better. The next day it may have been better still. It is a very fine effort from one of Portugal’s (and the world’s) top Alvarinho producers. Soalheiro makes a number of specialty Alvarinhos, too. They will have to go some to beat this, though, and this one is likely to be far better priced. It should age quite well and improve in the cellar, but it will certainly be impressive this summer as well. One final note: you may think that this is expensive for Vinho Verde. Treat this like quality wine. It is not stereotypical Vinho Verde. There is no fizz. It is dry. It will age well if well stored. On its own terms, likely to be on many shelves in the low $20s, it is a bargain. Drink now-2022. Importer: Wine In-Motion, Union, N.J.; tel: (908) 688-3837