Joao Portugal Ramos Vinho Regional Alentejano Quinta da Viçosa

Purchased for $30. Lots going on here, but a lot of new world stuff... tons of oak and vanilla. I'm getting a lot of mint and herb. Juicy red fruits and spice. The oak is really center stage. A really nice wine, just missing a sense of place. Not sure I'd get again for $30, especially if I'm looking for true Portuguese wine. Grade: A-

Color: Deep and impenetrable ruby. Nose: Very expressive. Black currents, a concoction of red fruit. Mouth: Medium bodied wine. Very good length. In the finish a tad bitter but that doesn't hurt with food. I love the freshness. Nice but not aggressive grip from the tannins. The alc. of 14.5% is well hidden. It has some elegance.

Warm and ripe red/black berry and sweet spice nose with more layers of complexity coming forward on the palate. In the mouth, ripe fruit with firm, structured tannin and a great sense of minerality through the cherry fruited finish. 4/5