This richer red offers blackberry, cocoa and subtle spice aromas.  The palate continues with ripe black fruits, sandalwood, coffee, clove, cocoa and a kiss of smoke. The fruit in this medium-plus bodied wine is concentrated, yet the tannins are supple.

The Casal Branco estate is located in Almeirim, on the southern bank of the Tejo River, and has been owned by the same family for over two hundred years. Of the estate’s 2,718 acres, 350 are under vine planted on Miocene sandy soils (Charneca). Most of the grapes planted are native Portuguese varietals including Castelão, Trincadeira, Fernão Pires and Alvarinho.

Current owner José Lobo de Vaconcelos took the reins in 1986; his winemaker is Dina Luís.  Although they rely heavily on native grapes (from old bush vines), they have also introduced a number of international varieties.  The estate produces about 20 different wines; about 70% of their wine is exported, primarily to the UK and US. 

The climate here is Mediterranean with Atlantic influences, the soil sandy loam.  Significant improvements in the vineyards began in 1990, marking a change from producing large quantities of bulk wine to smaller quantities of fine wine.  Famed consulting enologist João Portugal Ramos oversaw this transition and made Luís head winemaker before he left.  A new modern winery was built in 2004.

Grilled preparations, Hearty stew, Mexican, Red Meat, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce