1996 Caves São João "Poço do Lobo" Cabernet Sauvignon, Bairrada, Portugal

ABOUT THE WINE

Sourced from the estate’s Poço do Lobo vineyard in Bairrada, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted during an era when Caves São João was experimenting with international varieties in Portugal’s cooler Atlantic regions. The vineyard’s clay-limestone soils and temperate climate imbue the wine with structure and aging potential. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine was aged in large neutral oak vats before undergoing extensive bottle aging in the cellars of the estate. The 1996 vintage has developed tertiary complexity—dried herbs, cigar box, forest floor—while still retaining a core of red and black fruit. With its refined structure and bright acidity, this wine shines with aged cheeses, roasted pork with prunes, or mushroom-based dishes.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Caves São João, founded in 1920 in Anadia, Bairrada, is one of Portugal’s oldest continuously operating wine companies. Known for both traditional Bairrada wines and long-aged bottlings, the estate played a pioneering role in bringing international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon into the region. Under the direction of the Costa family, the winery became renowned for releasing late-disgorged sparkling wines and cellared reds that challenge expectations of Portuguese wine longevity. Their “Poço do Lobo” label—named after the family’s vineyard in Cantanhede—highlights the unique microclimate and soils of the area, combining classic European structure with Portuguese character. The long bottle aging program is a hallmark of their philosophy: patience, purity, and a deep respect for tradition.