Herdade do Mouchao Tonel 3-4, Alentejo 2013
Herdade do Mouchão Tonel 3–4, Alentejo 2013 is a powerful, concentrated Alicante Bouschet from one of Portugal’s most iconic estates, made only in exceptional vintages and widely regarded as a benchmark for Alentejo reds. It is dense, dark and structured, with excellent aging potential and a very Pure, site-driven expression of old-vine Alicante.
Critic tasting note: (2013 vintage)
"A single-vineyard Alicante Bouschet wine aged in tonels 3 and 4, two handsome wood casks big enough to walk through. The wine is only released in selected years. This vintage, now almost mature, shows both aging potential and great power as well as elegance. There is a fine juicy character that gives it unique freshness while it matures. Drink now or just wait until 2024." - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (98/100)
Site and identity
Tonel 3–4 comes from the Carapetos vineyard at Herdade do Mouchão in Borba, where old Alicante Bouschet vines grow on deep, stony soils. The cuvée is produced only in top years, from hand-harvested fruit, and is widely seen as the estate’s flagship wine.
Technical tasting note
Appearance: Very dark, opaque ruby-purple, intensely colored and youthfully dense.
Nose: Blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, chocolate, espresso, balsamic and subtle earthy, mineral notes.
Palate: Full-bodied and massive, with great concentration, ripe dark fruit, firm tannins and bright acidity; more concentrated than the regular 2013, with a very Pure, focused profile.
Finish: Long, deep and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, spice and mineral echoes, and clear capacity to evolve over many years.
Winemaking and style
The wine is 100% Alicante Bouschet, fermented in traditional lagares with foot treading and minimal intervention, then aged for 24 months in large Portuguese oak casks numbered 3 and 4. The style is rich, intense and structured, with a clear emphasis on purity, depth and long-term aging.
Buying outlook
This is a top-tier Alentejo for collectors and serious lists who want a powerful, age-worthy red with real pedigree. The 2013 is described as dark, concentrated and still developing, with excellent intensity and length, making it compelling both for mid-term cellaring and for premium, terroir-focused wine programs.
Food pairing
It pairs beautifully with beef, venison, game, lamb and other rich red meats. It also works very well with hearty stews, grilled meats, aged cheeses and robust, flavorful dishes where structure and depth can match the wine’s intensity.
