Natura Sub a Rocha: Vitor Matos e António Maçanita

Natura by Vítor Matos Sub a Rocha 2020

Natura by Vítor Matos Sub a Rocha 2020 is a rare white wine from the Azores, DO Pico, born on the island of Pico in collaboration between Michelin chef Vítor Matos and António Maçanita's Azores Wine Company. Limited to 370 bottles, it celebrates an extreme terroir: Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho and Terrantez do Pico vines planted in basalt rock crevices, by the sea and protected by ‘curral’ walls.

Vinification

Sub a Rocha is born from selective manual harvesting in 20 kg baskets, with bunches selected on the mat. The whole bunch is pressed, natural decanting takes place and it is transferred to used French barrels, where the Arinto dos Açores ferments and ages for about 10 months. The final blend combines 75% Arinto from barrels, 15% Verdelho from stainless steel, which adds volume and salinity, and 10% Terrantez do Pico from stainless steel, which gives extra tension. After light filtration, the wine is aged for a further 18 months in the bottle.

Tasting notes

Straw yellow colour. Pure mineral nose, fresh citrus and grapefruit notes. Tense and very fresh attack on the palate, firm acidity, unctuous texture and well-marked salinity, with long persistence. An expressive Atlantic white wine that leaves no one indifferent and shows the power of the unique terroir of the island of Pico.

Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho and Terrantez do Pico.