Lobo e Falcão Reserva 2020

José Lobo de Vasconcelos’ original Lobo e Falcão is one of our best-selling Portuguese reds. Naturally, when he offered to send his special Reserva, we eagerly accepted.

This highly rated release is named in honor of José’s surname and his family’s history as royal falconers to Dom Miguel, Portugal's king from 1828 to 1835. Head winemaker Joana Lopes crafts Lobo e Falcão Reserva with hand-selected parcels of Alicante Bouschet (prized for its rare red flesh, which imparts extra depth and color), Syrah, Touriga Nacional (star Port grape) and Cabernet Sauvignon from José’s low-yielding, old vines. After fermentation in lagares (open stone tanks traditionally used in Port production), she ages the wine for 12 months in fine French oak barrels.

The result is a complex, well balanced and intensely flavored Reserva. Look for perfumed floral aromas mingling with ripe dark fruit and toasty vanilla oak. Rich forest-fruit flavors dominate the succulent, balanced palate. Hints of mocha-spice grace the long, smooth finish. Try it with barbecued meats, tomato- and bean-based stews and other hearty dishes.

Today, the estate has a fully modern winery and in early 2024, earned a Sustainability Certification from ViniPortugal (the official association of the Portuguese wine industry). They are proudly the first and only winery in Tejo to earn this title, thanks to implementing various "green" approaches. (To name a few: promoting biodiversity in the vineyard, efficient water management, composting for organic fertilization, using renewable energy sources and reuse of materials with a lower carbon footprint.)

The “Wolf and Falcon” may be an unlikely duo in nature, but here they’re proving what savvy wine lovers have known for years: Portugal really is a hot spot for huge flavors and huge value. Don’t miss out on this luxurious taste.