Lobo e Falcao Red Tejo Wine, Portugal 2023

“The Most Exciting Wine Place on the Planet Today”

Wine Spectator’s Matt Kramer is raving about Portugal’s full-flavored reds—and Lobo e Falcão will show you why. It’s from Tejo, an interior region of Portugal. The special corner is often overlooked by the wine world, but we’ve been coming here for years to bring you remarkable wines that over-deliver on flavor and value.

A perennial best-seller, this sumptuous blend of international Syrah and local stars Alicante Bouschet and Castelão was crafted at José Lobo de Vasconcelos’ 17th-century estate by winemaker Joana Lopes. The property once served as the king of Portugal’s falconry, and José’s family (whose surname means ‘wolf’) were the caretakers there. Lobo e Falcão (‘Wolf and Falcon’) is a tribute to them, as they would keep special barrels of their wine tucked away for the king when he stopped for a visit.

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 reusing materials with a lower carbon footprint.)

Lobo e Falcão is a must-taste for rich reds fans. Here’s José on what to expect in the glass: "Smooth as velvet, it has lashings of dark fruit, all wrapped up in creamy mocha and vanilla." Previous vintages have won a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy rating, plus 90 points and a gold medal from Gilbert & Gaillard.

You'll find this one to be equally impressive, showcasing all the same lush flavor as its acclaimed predecessors. It’ll dazzle alongside hearty foods like beef tenderloin, thick-cut pork chops, steaks, burgers and more.

Taste why Portugal’s reds are all the rage—and let us know what you think once you’ve cracked open this flavor-packed star.