2022 Cabecas do Reguengo Respiro Clarete, Alentejo, Portugal

The Respiro Clarete comes from 3 different centennial vineyards, each around 600 meters of altitude, and is a blend of roughly 10 different varieties, both red and white, with Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Tinta de Olho Branco, Castelo in red, and Boa de Alicante, Formosa Dourada, Mantedo, Arinto, Bical, Tamarez Prola making up most of the blend. The proportion of red grapes to white grapes is roughly -. All the grapes are fermented together in cement vats, the red grapes in whole bunches, and then the wine is aged in a large wooden lagar.

This is a super playful expression of Portalegre, with dark pomacious tones and light red berries all presenting in a super fresh crunchy fashion. Black licorice, purple flowers, and bunches of lavender and rosemary fill the margins of the perfume. Soft yet textured tannins provide a satisfying dryness, but texturally this wine is all about the gushing acidity. Not quite glou-glou, but you definitely want to drink this with a chill.