Villa Oeiras Carcavelos Tinto 10 Year Old
Villa Oeiras Carcavelos Tinto 10 Year Old is a fortified red wine from Carcavelos, Portugal's smallest appellation, just west of Lisbon along the Tagus estuary — and the first Carcavelos Tinto ever imported into the United States. A terrific alternative to Tawny Port, it is made from Castelao and Trincadeira grown in small, calcareous seaside vineyards, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for a decade in barrel beneath the former palace of the Marquis de Pombal. Order this 500mL rarity online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
- Size: 500mL
- Style: Fortified red wine, Carcavelos DOC
- Age: 10 Year Old, aged in Nacional (Portuguese) and French oak
- Grapes: Castelao, Trincadeira
- Origin: Carcavelos, Portugal
The Last House of Carcavelos
Villa Oeiras is the sole remaining producer of Carcavelos, born of a partnership between Portugal's Ministry of Agriculture and the municipality of Oeiras in 1983. Its 12.5 hectares at the Casal da Manteiga — the former stables of the Marquis de Pombal, planted on calcareous soils just 200 meters from the Tagus estuary — comprise nearly half of the entire appellation, with vines derived from the original Pombal cuttings tracing back more than three centuries. The wines age in the palatial cellars of the Marquis de Pombal under winemakers Tiago Correira, Pedro Sa, and Alexandre Lisboa. Carcavelos itself is one of Portugal's four traditional vinhos generosos, demarcated in 1908 and once gifted by King Jose I to the court of Beijing in 1752; today it ranks among the rarest wines in the world. Browse more fortified wines and wines at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Lithe and vibrant for a fortified wine, with bright, juicy acidity carrying notes of caramelized barley sugar, cocoa powder, cola, roasted nuts, and baking spices.
How to Enjoy
Serve a 2-3 oz pour at cellar temperature, lightly chilled. Enjoy it on its own after dinner, with cured meats and cheeses, or alongside desserts like creme caramel. Once opened, it keeps well for 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carcavelos wine? Carcavelos is a fortified wine (vinho generoso) from Portugal's smallest appellation, west of Lisbon. Production nearly vanished in the late 20th century; Villa Oeiras is its only remaining producer.
Is Carcavelos Tinto like Port? It is a close cousin in style — a barrel-aged, oxidative fortified wine — and makes a terrific alternative to Tawny Port, with a lighter frame and brighter acidity.
How long does Villa Oeiras Tinto keep after opening? Stored properly, an opened bottle keeps well for 2-3 months.
Discover one of the rarest wines in Portugal — order Villa Oeiras Carcavelos Tinto online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.