The Ipso Facto Castelão Blend shows plenty of promise with dark berries bursting through the fray, with a slightly jammy quality to them. There are some chewy tannins on the palate, and the fruit works through nicely with a touch of minty freshness.

Origin: Portugal. Mainly Grown In: All over Portugal; the best examples are from the Setúbal Peninsula. Key Facts: Castelão is a grape variety planted throughout Portugal and lends itself to red, rosé, and fortified wines. It is a versatile wine in that it ripens well in both warm and cool climates, making it a reliable grape of choice for many winemakers. By far the finest examples come from the Setúbal Peninsula in southern Portugal, where it is often treated as a single varietal wine and, when raised in oak, can make for some very rich, tannic and robust reds. It is often blended with two of Portugal’s more famous grape varieties, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), adding deeper colour and body to a blended wine. Fun Fact: Like so many grape varieties in Portugal, Castelão goes by several names. Depending on where you are, it may also be called Castelão Francês or Bastardo Castiço amongst other names.