A highly conceptual and unconventional skin-contact white—or orange wine—from the Vinho Verde region, deliberately pushing the boundaries of the local Avesso grape. Its name, referencing the sonic depth of an echo effect, perfectly encapsulates the extended and complex texture achieved through its unique production method.
This is a monovarietal Avesso wine, sourced from vines aged between 30 and 60 years on the Quinta da Livração's granite soils in the lower Tâmega sub-region. Winemaking begins with the traditional manual harvest followed by foot-treading of the grapes in the ancient granite lagares. The initial phase involves a short three-day maceration of the Avesso skins and must in the open granite vats with native yeasts. However, the defining step occurs after the spontaneous fermentation, where the wine is transferred to stainless steel tanks for an extraordinary six-month extended maceration. Crucially, the stems of the red Castelão grape (from the estate's own red wine production) are added to the tank, contributing additional structure, tannin, and complexity during the long contact period with the Avesso skins. The wine is bottled as a natural wine with no fining, clarification, or added sulfur, resulting in a turbid appearance and a rich lees presence.
The Reverb Branco presents itself with a distinct deep gold or pale amber/orange hue that immediately signals its extended skin contact. The aromatic profile is richly complex and oxidative in style, moving well beyond typical Vinho Verde notes. It offers an opulent spectrum of tropical fruit—often leaning towards quince, dried apricot, and orange peel—layered with tertiary notes of honey, hazelnut, and herbal spice derived from the stem and skin contact. The wine has a striking, rich texture and volume on the palate, often associated with the Avesso variety, which is balanced by a vibrant, saline acidity and a delicately firm tannin structure from the long maceration. The overall impression is a complex, profound, and thought-provoking white wine that retains the essential freshness of its origin while delivering the textural depth and resonance of a serious vin de garde.
