Quinta dos Pesos Carcavelos 1992
Quinta dos Pesos Carcavelos 1992 is a bottle of liquid history: a 21.5% ABV Portuguese fortified wine from the smallest wine appellation in Portugal — a vinho generoso in the tradition of Port and Madeira, in a 500mL bottle. The estate in Caparide, west of Lisbon, ceased winemaking in 2005; the remaining wines slept in barrel until 2018, when the Sotolon Selection team tasted, selected and blended them. Carcavelos has just 25 protected hectares and one active producer left — this is among the rarest wines in the world. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 21.5%
- Vintage: 1992
- Size: 500mL
- Style: Carcavelos DOC — vinho generoso (fortified), oxidative cask-aged
- Blend: white (Arinto, Gallego Dourado, Ratinho, Rabo do Ovelha) and red (João Santarem, Espadeiro Tinto) grapes, co-fermented
- Origin: Caparide, Carcavelos, Portugal
The Rarest Wine You've Never Heard Of
Carcavelos was once one of Portugal's most famous fortified wines — gifted by King José I to the court of Beijing in 1752, sold at Christie's first London wine auction — then nearly erased by suburban sprawl and phylloxera. Quinta dos Pesos was restored by Manoel de Boullosa from 1963 onward, made only a few vintages, and then went silent. What survived is extraordinary: decades-old oxidative wine with espresso, salted fig, toasted raisin and saffron complexity that reads like a cross between old Madeira and fine rancio. Decant and pour for people who think they've tasted everything. Explore more fortified wine, wine and our other Carcavelos at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: espresso, salted fig, dried fruits, toffee, saffron, barrel-aged warmth. Palate: rich and oxidative — sticky pudding, Christmas cookie spice, orange peel, condensed milk, raw sugar, savory umami depth. Finish: very long, nutty and sweet with fine acidity.
How to Enjoy
Serve at cellar temperature (60–65°F) in a small wine glass. Pair with aged cheeses, walnuts, dried figs, or crème brûlée — or simply pour it as the evening's conversation piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carcavelos? A tiny Portuguese fortified-wine appellation (25 protected hectares) west of Lisbon — one of the country's four traditional vinhos generosos, alongside Port, Madeira and Moscatel de Setúbal.
Why is this wine so rare? The estate stopped producing in 2005 and made only a few vintages; this 1992 was selected from barrel and bottled in 2018 in very small quantities.
How long will it keep? Like Madeira, it is built to last — an opened bottle keeps for weeks to months.
Collectors in San Diego, CA: order this 1992 Carcavelos online from Del Mesa Liquor before it disappears.