In 2005, Herdade do Sobroso produced around 15,000 bottles of Castigo Divino. However, due to the old-world philosophy of micro-vinification, the wine was aged in 225-liter French oak barriques (approximately 60% new oak). Each barrique yields roughly 300 bottles. Lot #62 refers to the 62nd barrel racked and bottled in that season.
But what exactly is Castigo Divino 2005 62 ? Why does the number “62” command such reverence? And if you are lucky enough to find a bottle, what can you expect to experience? This article dives deep into the origin, the flavor profile, the scarcity, and the investment potential of this enigmatic wine. The story of Castigo Divino begins not with a flashy billionaire or a Bordeaux-trained consultant, but with a quiet, almost heretical ambition. The wine is produced by Herdade do Sobroso (also known in some export markets as Casa Relvas ), a family-owned estate in the sub-region of Redondo, Alentejo. The name "Castigo Divino" (Divine Punishment) is intentionally ironic. According to winery lore, the first vintage was made from grapes so profoundly concentrated and tannic that the winemaker declared, “Drinking this young is a form of divine punishment.” It was a wine that demanded penance—years of patience in the bottle. Castigo Divino 2005 62
Castigo Divino 2005 62 Disclaimer: Always verify vintage and provenance with a certified wine expert before purchasing high-value collectible wines. In 2005, Herdade do Sobroso produced around 15,000
Because the wine was not made for export en masse, the is a hunter’s trophy. Official records from Casa Relvas indicate that the #62 lot was exclusively sold to a single distributor in Oeiras (near Lisbon) in 2009. From there, bottles trickled to auction houses in London and New York. Lot #62 refers to the 62nd barrel racked
Why does this matter? Because lot #62 came from a specific parcel of vines planted in 1972 on a north-facing slope near the village of São Miguel de Machede. This parcel, known locally as Vinha da Penitência (Vineyard of Penitence), has a unique clay-schist composition that imparts a distinct ferrous, mineral quality to the wine. The 62nd lot was also the only lot aged exclusively in (rather than a mix of Allier and Tronçais), which gives a silkier, more vanilla-laced tannin structure.