WINES OF PORTUGAL
93
Portugal Ramos Vinhos | Alentejo
| Portugal Ra-Mo-Sh Vee-Noose |
DOC Vinho Verde, VR Alentejano, Portugal
João Portugal Ramos is one of Portugal’s most famous pioneering winemakers, widely considered
Portugal’s version of Piero Antinori or Emile Peynaud. His many accolades include being named 2006
Producer of the Year and 2010 Personality of the Year by Portugal’s leading wine publication, Essencia do
Vinho. During his decades spent as a wine consultant, Ramos nearly singlehandedly influenced modern
Portuguese winemaking with the benefits of technology and an emphasis on low yields, occasional oak
aging, and the preservation of a grape’s natural fruit flavors. In 1990, he chose to begin his own winery,
planting vineyards around the walled city of Estremoz, Alentejo.
Ramos Reserva (VR Alentejano)
This handcrafted wine is a blend of native Alentejo grapes, Trincadeira and Aragonez, plus a touch
of Syrah for added body. The fruit is sourced from 1,000-foot-high schist and limestone vineyards
surrounding the Portugal Ramos Vila Santa winery. Unoaked, it is fresh and fruity while maintaining a
plush mouthfeel. Ruby red in color, Ramos Reserva displays aromas of ripe red fruit and dried herbs. Soft
and robust with complex tannins, the Ramos Reserva is spicy with a long finish.
2013:
WE Best Buy |
2012:
90 WS Top 100 List of 2014, Best Value
Vila Santa Loios Branco (VR Alentejano)
| Loy-Oosh Brahn-Koo |
Loios is named for the order of monks that brought winemaking to the Alentejo in the fifteenth century.
A blend of 50 percent Rabo de Ovelha and 50 percent Roupeiro, the wine is fermented in stainless steel
tanks. Young and fresh, it is pale yellow in color with lime and mineral aromas showing through on the
nose. The palate demonstrates great acidity with notes of apple and citrus.
Vila Santa Loios Tinto (VR Alentejano)
| Loy-Oosh Teen-Too |
Loios is named for the order of monks that brought winemaking to the Alentejo in the fifteenth century.
The wine is a blend of traditional red varieties from this region: 35 percent Aragonês, 35 percent
Trincadeira and 30 percent Castelão. After a careful selection and pressing, the juice is fermented in
stainless steel tanks to preserve the unique, fresh fruit character of each variety. This easy-drinking red
has intensely fruity aromas and is jammy and meaty at once.
Received 8 Best Buys from WE & WS in 2008-2014 vintages