José Lobo’s Quinta do Casal Branco estate extends across 125 hectares in Portugal’s beautiful Tejo region, but just one small 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.

The wine

This special, ancient vineyard contains Alicante and Castelão for sure, the rest is a mix of the 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 – the best way to extract all the fruit with no harsh tannins. Barrel-aged, this 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.

Come and experience it for yourself!

Quinta do Casal Branco is a very beautiful, 18th-century estate in the Tagus valley. It has belonged to the Lobo de Vasconcelos family for four generations. If you find yourself close by, do pay them a visit and tell them you're a Vineyard Partner. There are the cellars to tour, vineyards too, wines to taste and they're also set up for lunches and dinners. If you're lucky, you'll get to see the elegant Lusitano horses prancing, visit the gardens and, if you're there in July, perhaps enjoy the music festival they help to stage.

Get in touch to arrange your visit

You can stock up here or place an order with your Wine Guide. Naturally at the same special bottle price you paid for your partnership case.

Quinta Casal Branco

Estrada Nacional 118 Km 69

Almeirim 2080-187

Portugal