2022 Quinta de Sao Sebastiao - Lisboa Tinto Grande Reserva (750ml)

Quinta de São Sebastião is a historic estate in Arruda dos Vinhos dating back to 1755, an address long wrapped in local legend. António Parente took over the property in 2011, and under his direction the estate has built a strong reputation across its core range, including the Grande Escolha, Reserva, White, and Mina Velha wines. Success has followed quickly, with the winery collecting numerous gold medals in international competitions and being recognized as a rising force among the small producers reviving the character of Portugal's Estremadura wine country.

The QSS Rare Grande Reserva comes from hillside vineyards surrounding the estate, where a Mediterranean climate tempered by Atlantic influence allows for slow, even ripening that preserves freshness in the grapes. Clay-limestone soils lend structure and depth to the fruit. The 2022 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet, a pairing chosen for its aromatic intensity and depth of character, and the wine undergoes an extended aging program intended to soften tannins and fully integrate its oak influence.

The wine shows dark fruit aromas of plum and blackberry layered with woody, smoky notes, backed by a hint of dark chocolate on the nose. On the palate, ripe fruit flavors are framed by rich, well-knit tannins that give the wine a dense, succulent structure built to evolve further with time in the bottle. It pairs naturally with grilled steak, roasted lamb, or a hearty stew.