Medium aromas filled with notes of spiced cherry candy, black raspberries and cocoa. There’s also a dark, savory, meaty component to the aromatics. The palate is perfumed, silky and supple with medium weight and soft, integrated tannins. Concentrated flavors of cocoa, chocolate covered raspberries, and earth join with lingering florality.

Quinta de Chocapalha’s vineyards date back to the 16th century, having belonged to Diogo Duff, a Scottish man who received the "Tower and Sword" insignia, given by King João VI, the King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1816 to 1822.  The estate was officially founded in 1855.

In the 1980s, Alice and Paulo Tavares da Silva bought the estate, making significant investments in the 110 hectares of vineyards. The introduction of new cultivation methods has allowed the family to advance the quality and reputation of their wines. The family embarked on an investment program to replant and regraft the existing vines with the thriving varietals of the area, both indigenous and international. In 2000, Sandra Tavares da Silva, Alice and Paulo’s youngest daughter, made her debut as the estate’s winemaker.  Sandra is now a highly-respected Portuguese enologist.

Castelão is one of Portugal’s most widely planted red grape varieties. It is still often referred to in Portuguese as Periquita. The grape is highly adaptable to a variety of climatic conditions and its remarkable versatility enables winemakers to make a range of styles, from lighter reds and rosés to rich, hearty reds.  The reds tend to feature raspberries and meaty notes.

Grapes for this wine were harvested in September from a 10-hectare vineyard with calcareous and clay soils. It then fermented in stainless steel before aging in French oak for 12 months followed by 6 months in the bottle before release.