The 2013 Contraste is a blend of Rabigato, Codega do Larinho, Codega and Viosinho, with 30% of the juice aged in new French oak, the rest in tank. The 2013s, said owner Rita Marques, will emphasize minerality instead of floral and fruity notes on the 2012, but had good concentration and were picked so as to avoid rain damage. She liked them a lot, she said. This sings for its beautiful freshness and elegance. Vibrant, sunny and lively, I do think it is a match for the 2012, showing its fine purity of fruit and beautiful integration of oak. It manages to maintain a certain, if subtle, stonewashed feel despite the oak. Drink it on the younger side, but I expect it to hold reasonably well and perhaps even better than I think. Drink now-2018.
Importer: Vin de Terra Imports, Inc., Springfield, VA; tel. (703) 731-2058