Meandro Blanco 2018

The 2018 Branco "Meandro" is a 60/40 blend of Rabigato and Arinto, unoaked and coming in at 12% alcohol (a drop from last year, a common theme in 2018s vs. 2017s). It was bottled just a few weeks before this tasting, but it seemed in great shape. Powerful, pointed and moderately aromatic, this most of all has plenty of acidity to lift the fruit and slam it back home. In its youth, this energetic wine is perfectly positioned as a summer white, but it does need just a little more expressiveness. Considering how recently it was bottled, it should show better by the time this report comes out. It should age rather well. It's a nice value. - Mark Squires.