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| The Ribatejo is
an expanse of watery grassland, rice
fields and leafy vineyards located
in the middle of Portugal, northeast
of Lisbon. Most of the vineyards are
on the wide, flat river valley of
the River Tagus (‘Tejo’). The best
vineyards are located in the
charneca, the sand-soiled lands off
the southern side of the river. The
red wines here are typically made
from Castelão (more widely known as
Periquita), Trincadeira, and
Bordeaux varieties, while the whites
are primarily Fernão Pires, Arinto,
and Sauvignon Blanc. |
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Jose Lobo de
Vasconcellos’ family
built their winery over
200 years ago on their
large estate on the
south bank of the Tejo
River. Jose renovated
the winery in 2003 and
has continued his
family's wine making
tradition on the estate
where he also breeds
famous Lusitano horses.
Casal Branco still uses
traditional old
‘lagares’ to crush the
grapes for their finest
red wines, while using
modern technology to
control quality in all
aspects of wine
production. Casal Branco
produces their wines
from the traditional
grapes of the Ribatejo
area, and is also
experimenting with
international varieties. |
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Capoeira Branco 2007
Varietal: Blend of
Fernão Pires and
Sauvignon Blanc
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
Appellation: Vinho
Regional Ribatejano
TASTING NOTES
Color: Bright pale lemon
Nose: Perfumed mix of
floral, apple, citrus
and tropical fruit
aromas
Palate: Lively in the
mouth, with apple and
tropical fruit flavors,
fresh acidity and nice
balance
Included in Robert Parker’s book Wine Bargains: The World’s Best Wine Values under $25
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Capoeira Tinto 2006
Varietal: Castelão
blended with Cabernet
Sauvignon
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
Appellation: Vinho
Regional Ribatejano
TASTING NOTES
Color: Bright ruby
Nose: Pleasant aromas of
spicy red and black
fruit mingled with
eucalyptus
Palate: Soft, fruity,
and rich, with
well-balanced acidity
and a persistent finish
Unoaked, easy-drinking
delicious young red |
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Quartilho “Q” Branco
2007
Varietal: 100% Fernão
Pires from 25-year-old
vines
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
Appellation: Vinho
Regional Ribatejano
TASTING NOTES
Color: Bright lemon with
youthful green tints
Nose: Lean, lemony, and
aromatic, with notes of
lavender and citrus
Palate: A blend of
floral, lime and clean
minerality. Refreshing
and bright
Included in Robert Parker’s book Wine Bargains: The World’s Best Wine Values under $25
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Quartilho “Q” Tinto
2006
Varietal: 60% Castelao,
30% Trincadeira and 10%
Alicante Bouschet,
foot-trodden in
traditional ‘lagares’
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
DOC: Ribatejo
TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep ruby color
Nose: Complex nose of
developing blackberry,
earth, and tobacco
Palate: Savory and ripe
in the mouth, with nice
intensity, hints of
mushroom and cherry, and
some grippy tannins
Aging: Aged in new and
used French oak for four
months |
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Capucho Merlot 2004
Varietal: 100% Merlot,
foot-trodden and
fermented in lagares
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
Appellation: Vinho
Regional Ribatejano
TASTING NOTES
Color: Medium ruby with
garnet tints
Nose: Intense aroma with
notes of black pepper
and plum, with a touch
of mint
Palate: Soft and fruity.
Harmonious and
persistent finish with a
touch of wood.
Aging: Aged in new
French oak for three
months. |
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Capucho Alicante
Bouschet 2004
Varietal: 100% Alicante
Bouschet. Hand-harvested
and fermented in
traditional lagares
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
Appellation: Vinho
Regional Ribatejano
TASTING NOTES
Color: Opaque purple
color
Nose: Complex red berry
fruits and violet aromas
combined with toasty and
chocolate notes
Palate: Filled with rich
red fruits and chocolate
flavors, good structure,
and a long, velvety
finish |
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Capucho Petit Verdot
2004 750ml
100% Petit Verdot,
foot-trodden and
fermented in lagares.
Aged in new French oak
for four months. Special
selection plots. Deep
purple color. Complex
nose with hints of ripe
blackberry jam and
licorice. Soft and dense
on the palate,
well-structured,
persistent tannins and a
long, smooth finish.
Capucho Petit Verdot
2004
Varietal: 100% Petit
Verdot from special
select plots,
foot-trodden and
fermented in lagares
Winery: Quinta do Casal
Branco
Appellation: Vinho
Regional Ribatejano
TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep purple
Nose: Complex nose with
hints of ripe blackberry
jam and licorice
Palate: Soft and dense
on the palate,
well-structured,
persistent tannins and a
long, smooth finish
Aging: Aged in new
French oak for four
months |
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