Pardusco 2024
Region: Vinho Verde
Producer: Anselmo Mendes
Why we chose this wine
We were there when Anselmo launched the first wines with its name on the market. He had already made a name for himself as a consultant in many estates, but in the early 2000s he focused on his home region. Melgaço has always been recognised as one of the best places to produce Alvarinho, but very few quality estates were still active. Anselmo played an important role in the rebirth of the region and is now recognised as one of Portugal's leading white wine producers. The Alvarinho grape variety plays the main role here, but Anselmo also values other local varieties such as Loureiro, Avesso and Vinhão. Its wines are distinguished by their freshness and minerality. The granitic soils, the proximity of the ocean and its location in the north of Portugal play a decisive role.
The vines are cultivated only in Monção and Melgaço, and are south and south-west facing. Red wines account for 50% of the wine production in Vinho Verde, but are almost all consumed locally. Pardusco is one of the few to be exported.
The nose is singular, it first expresses itself on acidic red fruits and then tends towards smoky and forest undergrowth notes, but always with a winy character that dominates. The palate is light, full of freshness, greedy and very harmonious.
The vines are cultivated only in Monção and Melgaço, and are south and south-west facing. Red wines account for 50% of the wine production in Vinho Verde, but are almost all consumed locally. Pardusco is one of the few to be exported.
The nose is singular, it first expresses itself on acidic red fruits and then tends towards smoky and forest undergrowth notes, but always with a winy character that dominates. The palate is light, full of freshness, greedy and very harmonious.
| Volume | 75.0 cl. |
| Grape Variety | Alvarelhão, Pedral, Borraçal, Vinhão, Cainho |
| Drinking window | 2025-2030 |
| Alc. | 12.0% |
| Vinification | Total destemming, skin maceration at 16°c for 12 hours then malolactic fermentation. |
| Ripening | Short ageing in old Alvarinho barrels, only to micro-oxygenate the wine. |
Waar serveer je ’m bij?
Anselmo Mendes made his name with white Vinho Verde and wanted the same refreshment in red. Five local varieties, all in steel, twelve degrees of alcohol: a red wine that behaves like a white, with a line of acidity that sweeps the mouth clean. Serving it lightly chilled is not an exception here but the rule.
Drie gerechten die werken
Grilled sardines with coarse salt
Charcuterie board with sourdough bread
Bacalhau à Brás
Charcuterie board with sourdough bread
Bacalhau à Brás
Vegetarisch
Grilled green asparagus with olive oil and lemon
Minder geschikt bij
Braised meat, game and anything with a thickened sauce: this bottle works through freshness, not weight.
Voor de Portugees geïnspireerde kok
Caldo verde com chouriço — soup of finely shredded kale, potato and chouriço, the plate at every celebration in the north
Serveren op 11–12 °C, well chilled
What the critics say
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
90/ 100
Published 02-04-2026
Drink: 2026–2029
Drink: 2026–2029
“The red 2024 Pardusco was produced with a blend of 80% Alvarelhão, 10% Pedral and 10% Verdelho-Feijão that fermented and aged in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. It's quite primary and fruit-driven, with some herbal notes and a touch of rusticity that gives it character. It has contained ripeness, 12% alcohol, a pH of 3.64 and 4.7 grams of acidity and a juicy and tender mouthfeel with almost unnoticeable tannins. It will be better with food. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2025.”
— Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The producer
Anselmo Mendes
We were there when Anselmo launched his first wines under his own name and we are still following him. Meanwhile, he grew to become 'mister Alvarinho'.
More about Anselmo Mendes →