Aluado Lisboa Alicante Bouschet, Portugal 2023

As Wine Spectator writes, in Portugal “prices are superb and quality has never been better.” Leading the way are winemakers like José Neiva, winner of the Premhio Senhor de Vinho (aka ‘The Mr. Wine Award’) by the country’s top wine magazine, in recognition for his major contributions to Portuguese wine.

José’s friends called him aluado (moonstruck or crazy) when he decided to make a wine from 100% Alicante Bouschet grapes (which had typically only been used in blends). But competition successes followed with an impressive list of awards. In recent years, it’s won four 90+ point scores, over 20 gold medals and been named a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy three times.

Considering the effort José puts into the wine, the acclaim is well deserved. The Alicante Bouschet grapes grow at José’s Quinta do Porto Franco estate, 40 miles north of Lisbon. Here, he keeps a watchful eye on the vineyards, where plenty of sun and cooling Atlantic breezes help grapes ripen slowly, boosting the development of aromatic and flavor complexity. In the cellar, José gives the wine just a touch of oak aging, for lightly toasty finesse.

Aluado has long been a favorite among our customers, so you’ll have to be quick to secure your share.