Quinta da Mariposa, Branco, 2023

A distinctly Dão white wine from a family project rooted in the small village of Carregal do Sal. Lúcia Freitas and Filipe Cruz craft wines exclusively from native varieties—Encruzado, Jaen, and Tinta Roriz—grown on the terraced slopes and mineral-rich soils that define this historic Portuguese region. The 2023 displays the typical elegance Dão Branco offers: citrine color with floral and citrus notes, mineral-driven acidity, and a long, refined finish. This is an extremely elegant, classic expression of place—unpretentious yet sophisticated, proof that Portugal's inland regions rival any European white wine region. Drink now through 2027.