Poço do Lobo Cabernet Reserva 1996

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Founded in 1920 by the Costa brothers, Caves São João became a key player in Portuguese winemaking with its iconic brands "Frei João" from Bairrada and "Porta dos Cavaleiros" from Dão. Initially focused on fine Douro wines, the winery shifted to Bairrada table and sparkling wines after a 1930 regulation restricted Port production. Under French enologist Gaston Mainousson, Caves São João gained a reputation for quality wines. Though demand for Bairrada and Dão wines waned in the 1990s, they saw a resurgence 20 years later as consumers sought finesse and freshness. In 2013, the Costa family began releasing library vintages from 1959 to 2000, showcasing the remarkable aging potential of their wines. Today, Caves São João remains the only Portuguese winery to offer such historic vintages commercially, blending tradition with continuous innovation.

WHAT MAKES THIS WINE UNIQUE?

Poço do Lobo Cabernet Reserva 1996 is a rare library release from a historic estate founded in 1920. It offers a unique glimpse into the aging potential of Bairrada reds. This mature expression of Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the region’s cool Atlantic influence and traditional winemaking, highlighting complexity, structure, and elegance developed over nearly three decades in bottle.

GRAPE:

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines planted in late 1970s. Tended in clay and limestone soil at 70 m (230 ft.) elevation.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:

Ideal with slow-cooked beef dishes, particularly beef stewed with mushrooms, where the wine's earthy and umami notes mirror the depth of the dish. It also pairs well with roasted lamb, aged cheeses, or mushroom risotto.

VINIFICATION AND AGING:

Fermented and aged in cement tanks, this wine developed structure and complexity without oak influence. It then rested for decades in Poço do Lobo’s cool, underground cellars, allowing for a slow, elegant evolution in bottle.

PRODUCTION:

Limited. Special Order (6 pack)

LOCATION, SOIL, CLIMATE:

Originally sourced from vines planted in the famed Bairrada DOC in the Beiras sub-region, an appellation in northern Portugal that reaches toward the Atlantic coast. Soil here is largely clay-limestone and, with the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, there is a significant maritime influence here.

TASTING NOTES:

On the nose, aromas of dark green herbs and ripe purple fruits give way to layers of cigar box, worn leather, and cocoa. The palate shows moderate structure, with classic, dusty tannins and lifted acidity that keep the wine balanced and persistent.

ALCOHOL CONTENT:

5601831419129

UPC CODE:

5601831419129