Vineyards and winemaking
Mirabilis Branco comes from very old and century-old vineyards above 500 metres in Murça, Alijó and Sabrosa. Viosinho and Gouveio predominate among a field of rare native grapes, some now scarcely found in the Douro. Granite and schist-granite transition soils, old vines and yields below 2,300kg per hectare provide unusually concentrated, pure fruit.
Each parcel is monitored closely and harvested with exacting attention to ripeness. The 2021 fermented and matured mainly in selected French oak barrels, with part of the blend resting in small unlined cement vats. This combination builds a silky texture while allowing freshness and mineral detail to remain transparent.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Luminous straw-gold with a bright, viscous sheen.
Nose
White peach, ripe citrus and apricot unfold into jasmine, crushed stone, honeyed almond and finely judged oak spice.
Palate
Silky and intense, with pear, citrus oil and stone fruit wrapped around a vibrant mineral core. Toasted hazelnut and discreet vanilla add depth, but the defining impression is one of tension, precision and exceptional length. It can be enjoyed now after time in a decanter or cellared further.
Food pairing
A serious partner for turbot with beurre blanc, butter-poached lobster, roast guinea fowl or hand-dived scallops with cauliflower purée. It is equally compelling with an aged Comté.
Background story
Mirabilis is Quinta Nova’s most ambitious white-wine project, conceived to show that the Douro’s high vineyards and rare local grapes can produce a wine of international stature and long evolution. Its name evokes something remarkable or wondrous.
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo occupies 120 hectares in the Cima Corgo, with 85 hectares inside the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The historic cellar dates from 1764, and the estate’s modern era began when the Amorim family acquired it in 1999.
