José Lobo’s Quinta do Casal Branco estate extends across 125 hectares in Portugal’s beautiful Tejo region, but just one small, 100-year-old vineyard is preserved as it always has been – dotted with equally old olive trees. That’s simply the way farmers used to plant out their land a century back. And José is adamant he won’t change that. The vines are a mix of different varieties, a field blend, just like the old days, which accounts for the breadth of gorgeous, rich fruit in this prized, barrel-aged red.

This special, ancient vineyard contains Castelão and a little Alicante for sure, the rest is a mix of the superb Portuguese grapes his great grandfather thought best to plant. So old now, the vines produce only a few bunches of tiny berries, intensely concentrated in flavour. These are all trodden by foot in the traditional lagars (large stone basins) – the best way to extract all the fruit with no harsh tannins. Barrel-aged, this fabulous red has intense aromas of very ripe plum, clove, cinnamon spice and alluring creamy oak. Swirled in your glass, it reveals notes of dark chocolate, along with its velvety black fruits, with firm, rounded tannins for ageing.

Sign up for an annual case of Centenário Grande Reserva and become a Vineyard Partner. Support this ancient vineyard and its traditionally made, very old-vine red. Above all enjoy this fine, rich Grande Reserva … all for partners at a special low price. You'll get regular updates, with an open invitation to visit the vineyard – virtually or for real – and experience it all yourself. There’s even a special tour to Lisbon and this estate, exclusively for Vineyard Partners and guests, in summer 2025. Plus, you’ll receive exclusive offers on other Vineyard Partner wines.