MOB Alfrocheiro 2023

MOB Alfrocheiro 2023 is a red from the renowned Dão region, made by the partnership of winemakers Jorge Moreira, Francisco Olazabal and Jorge Serôdio Borges (Moreira, Olazabal & Borges). From high-altitude vineyards in Seia, it stands out for its elegant, fresh, "cool-climate" profile.

This is without doubt the most “intellectual” MOB, where the precision, subtlety and authenticity of Alfrocheiro come through with rare clarity.

The Wine Advocate
RP 93

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2023 Alfrocheiro is a delicate, relatively light-coloured red, evoking wines from cooler regions. The nose is very fine and elegant, with floral notes and fresh, well-balanced fruit. On the palate it's quite light, but intense and full of character at the same time. The precision, personality and subtlety of this wine make it the most intellectual of the M.O.B. selection.

It was made from vines around 30 years old on granite soils on the slopes of the Serra da Estrela. It fermented with 50% whole bunches and aged in used 500-litre French oak barrels. Elegant and balanced, with slightly more expressive presence than previous vintages. 13.5% alcohol, pH 3.77 and 5.26 g/L acidity. 2,800 bottles were produced and the wine was bottled in August 2025.

For reference, and to assess its ageing potential, the 2012 and 2013 were also tasted, both fermented and aged with less extraction and destemmed grapes, with restrained ripeness and 12.5% alcohol. The 2012 was more evolved, complex and nuanced, while the 2013 still showed considerable youth. The 2012 is perfect to drink now.

M.O.B. stands for Moreira, Olazábal and Borges: Jorge Moreira of Poeira, Francisco “Xito” Olazábal of Quinta do Vale Meão and Jorge Borges of Pintas, all linked to Douro projects. Long-time friends, they decided to start a joint project making wine in a different region: the Dão.

They started in 2011, almost 15 years ago. They first rented Quinta do Corujão, an estate with 11 hectares of vines in Seia, which they bought five years later. They also rented other very old vineyards in Gouveia, at around 600 metres. Today they make around 100,000 bottles.

2022 and 2023 were quite hot, although the vines suffered more in 2023. 2021 was very balanced and fresh, and 2024 follows the same line. M.O.B. usually harvests late, about 15 days after most producers, because its vineyards are in cooler areas.

Published: 22 January 2026