This a red blend from the Tejo wine region of Portugal formerly known as Ribatejo until its rebranding in 2009, now named after the Tejo River. It’s produced by Falua Sociedade de Vinos.
The blend includes Castelão, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wine gained a Bronze Medal at the 2023 IWSC and the Decanter World Wine Awards and it has a respectable 4.1 rating on Vivino. Aesthetically, the bottle immediately captures attention with its striking label graphics, a nod to the wine’s assertive character described as ‘Fierce, gracious and untameable.’
On the nose, the wine greets with an enticing aroma of black fruits. It provides a rich pallete with flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and a hint of redcurrant. This fruity profile skilfully avoids excessive sweetness. However, it’s not without its nuances. The wine’s ‘bodaciousness’ is somewhat belied by its lighter tannins and a lack of acidity, aspects that some might find lacking, especially when considering the wine’s robust name and promotional description. Despite this, the wine remains a good choice at the very low price point.
Priced at an accessible £4.87 during a promotional period (normally retailing at £6.50), and exclusively available at Asda, it represents excellent value for money. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking a wine with more balanced body and complexity, it stands as a commendable choice for an everyday wine, especially for those who favour a fruit-forward, easy-drinking red.
