Review: Bico Amarelo 2020

In my last post, about Ameal Loureiro, I highlighted how Vinho Verde can be a serious, quality wine. Bico Amarelo is produced by José Luis Moreira da Silva, the same winemaker as Ameal Loureiro, and is another example of Vinho Verde produced as a “fine wine” and yet it retails for a mere $12.

Although several different grape varieties are allowed in Vinho Verde wines, there are a few that I consider to be the best and those three are what’s in this wine: Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso. These grape varieties tend to produce more complex and structured wines than some of the other Vinho Verde varieties. I’ve had single varietal wines made from each of these, but here we have a blend. And this blend comes together to make a beautiful Vinho Verde.

Tasting Notes

The nose is super fragrant, offering lovely orange blossom, lemon, mango and dry straw aromas. Crisp lemon flavors are most prominent on the palate, but there’s also some green apple, hints of mango and a really nice salinity. The acidity is spot on. The mouthfeel is pleasant. It finishes long, with salty lemon flavors.

Wine: Bico Amarelo
Varieties: Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 11.5%
Rating: 92
Average price: $12.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.