4 and 6 bottle levels     $23 (member price $20)
100% Castelão  13.5% ABV

Andrea Tavares visited VV in 2018 for a consumer tasting, then in April to taste me on their latest vintages.  She manages this family owned winery, with her sister Sandra handling the winemaking for both Quinta de Chocapalha in Lisboa and Wine & Soul in Douro Valley.  Those of you who’ve taken a Portugal trip with VV may remember meeting Andrea.  Castelão is a grape native to the Lisboa area, used both for varietal wines and blends.  It’s grown all over Portugal, but it’s greatest fame is from vineyards surrounding the capital city.  Aged 14 months in used French barriques.  Ripe/juicy attack of blackberry and red raspberry, with a “campfire“ finish of smoke and toasty marshmallows.

Food Pairing Suggestions:
It pairs perfectly with coffee crusted prime rib of beef with roast fingerling potatoes, herbed leg of lamb with vegetables, roasted pork with herbed rice, grilled Italian sausage with white Cheddar polenta, venison loin with blackberry sauce and seared duck breast with a balsamic glaze. This red is also delightful with blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola and Roquefort, as well as charcuterie.