Azores Wine Company, D.O. Pico (Azores, Portugal) 2018

 Pico Island, one of nine volcanic Azorean islands located almost 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal has a thriving wine culture.  Significantly contributing to that wine culture is the Azores Wine Company, which was established in 2014 and is one of the most well-regarded projects in Portugal.  Their 2018 Arinto dos Açores is bone dry, lively, and lip-smacking with citrus and salt-flecked ruby grapefruit notes.  This is incredibly terroir-reflective and propulsively fresh, driving a long finish.  You’re not going to be able to put this Azorean wonder down.