Casal da Coelheira, Reserva Red, 2022
Casal da Coelheira, Reserva Red, 2022
- Red Still
- 75.0cl
- 13.5%
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet
Casal da Coelheira is one of the Tejo's more quietly serious estates, making wines that punch well above the region's still-underestimated reputation. This 2022 Reserva is built around the classic Portuguese red trio — Touriga Nacional lending structure and dark fruit, Aragonez adding warmth and flesh, Alicante Bouschet bringing that deep colour and earthy muscle. Eighteen months in oak gives it some backbone without overwhelming the fruit, and 2022 was a fine vintage across Portugal's inland regions.
We find this wine in a good place right now: the tannins have settled, the fruit is expressive, and there's a pleasing savouriness that makes it excellent at the table.
- ❖ ABV: 13.5%
Grapes
Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet
Vintage report
The 2022 growing season in Alentejo was defined by heat and drought — and plenty of both. A dry winter meant water reserves were already low before summer arrived, and when it did, it came hard. Temperatures across the Alentejo plain pushed into extremes that would have devastated a less adapted region, but the indigenous varieties here — Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet — have spent centuries learning to cope. Yields were down across the board, concentrating what remained on the vine. Those who managed their canopies well and picked at the right moment landed some serious fruit.
What ended up in the bottle is rich, structured, and built for the medium to long term. The reds have real density without being overworked — deep, sun-baked fruit held together by firm tannins and the kind of natural acidity Alentejo can struggle to preserve in hot years but largely managed here. Whites and rosés from the vintage drank well young, but the reds repay patience. Most serious examples are drinking well now with food, though the best will continue to reward cellaring until 2027 to 2030 and beyond.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with a dense, opaque core and a rim that just begins to show the first signs of settling.
NoseDark plum and blackberry upfront, then dried thyme, leather, and a thread of graphite-like earthiness. A little time in the glass draws out some tobacco and warm spice from the oak.
PalateMedium-full bodied with tannins that are firm but no longer grippy — the 2022 ripeness has given them a smoothness that makes the wine approachable now. Dark fruit, dried herb, and a backdrop of coffee and sweet spice carry through from nose to palate with good continuity.
FinishSavoury and mineral, with good length and a drying persistence of tannin that keeps you reaching for the next sip.
Overall impressionA serious, food-friendly Tejo Reserva that rewards a little patience in the glass and a lot of generosity at the table.
Food Pairings
In the Tejo, this kind of structured red is made for the table, not the tasting room. Locals would reach for it alongside roast lamb seasoned with garlic and rosemary, or a slow-braised wild boar with potatoes roasted in duck fat. Grilled black pork from the Alentejo — just across the border — is another natural match, its fat cutting beautifully through the wine's tannins. A wedge of aged Serpa or Évora cheese would do very well at the end of the meal, the wine's earthiness meeting the cheese's funk on equal terms.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C — slightly cooler than full room temperature, which keeps the fruit fresh and the tannins from feeling heavy. A 30-minute decant is all it needs in 2026; the wine opens up quickly and doesn't require much coaxing. A standard Bordeaux-style glass with a generous bowl works well, giving the aromas space to develop without diffusing them.
The Tejo sits inland from Lisbon, with a continental climate that delivers hot, dry summers and cool nights — conditions that concentrate flavour while preserving freshness in the grapes. The soils here are typically sandy loam over clay, which moderates water stress and gives the wines a fine-grained earthiness rather than brute power. The proximity to the Tagus river tempers summer heat and introduces a subtle mineral character that shows up in the wine's finish.
Tejo DOC covers a broad swathe of central Portugal along the Tagus river valley, traditionally known for high-volume, easy-drinking wines — a reputation the better estates have been steadily overturning. The appellation permits a wide range of indigenous and international varieties, though the most interesting reds lean on Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, and Alicante Bouschet. It sits in the shadow of the Douro and Alentejo in terms of prestige, but the gap in quality at the top end is far smaller than the gap in price, which makes it fertile ground for the curious buyer.
The 2022 growing season in Alentejo was defined by heat and drought — and plenty of both. A dry winter meant water reserves were already low before summer arrived, and when it did, it came hard. Temperatures across the Alentejo plain pushed into extremes that would have devastated a less adapted region, but the indigenous varieties here — Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet — have spent centuries learning to cope. Yields were down across the board, concentrating what remained on the vine. Those who managed their canopies well and picked at the right moment landed some serious fruit.
What ended up in the bottle is rich, structured, and built for the medium to long term. The reds have real density without being overworked — deep, sun-baked fruit held together by firm tannins and the kind of natural acidity Alentejo can struggle to preserve in hot years but largely managed here. Whites and rosés from the vintage drank well young, but the reds repay patience. Most serious examples are drinking well now with food, though the best will continue to reward cellaring until 2027 to 2030 and beyond.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Dark plum, blackberry, dried thyme, and leather, with a savoury, mineral finish. The tannins are firm but ripe, and there is a warmth and earthiness that is distinctly Portuguese in character.
When is the best time to drink this wine?
It is drinking well from 2026 and will continue to improve until around 2029-2031, when we think it will be at its most expressive. Drink it before 2034 to catch it while the fruit is still holding court.
What food should I serve with this wine?
It is a natural match for roast or braised lamb, slow-cooked game, and grilled pork. Aged Portuguese cheeses like Serpa work very well too. Essentially anything with enough richness and savouriness to meet the wine's structure.
How should I serve it?
Serve at 16-17°C and give it a 30-minute decant. A standard large-bowled red wine glass is ideal. It does not need much preparation — it opens up quickly once poured.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
It will reward a few more years in the cellar, with a sweet spot somewhere around 2029-2031. That said, it is already very enjoyable now, so there is no need to wait if you are opening it for dinner tonight.
What makes the Tejo region distinctive?
Tejo sits along the Tagus river in central Portugal and has historically been known for easy, high-volume wines. The better estates have been quietly changing that story, producing structured, site-expressive reds at prices that still feel like a find. The sandy loam soils, hot days, and cool nights give the wines an earthy mineral character that sets them apart from the bigger, more extracted style of the Alentejo to the south.
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