Joao Portugal Ramos Reserva 2021

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Grape Varieties: Trincadeira, Aragonez (Tempranillo), & Syrah

This wine is produced on João’s own estate in Alentejo, Vila Santa. After earning his stripes as a wine consultant, he began planting vineyards to his own specifications in the 1990s. Today he farms over 1200 acres across this historic region, grown mostly on limestone-clay and schist soils. Alentejo is on the border with Spain’s Extremadura region, and often times many winemakers will cultivate both native Spanish and Portuguese varieties. This wine is a blend of Tempranillo (known locally as Aragonez) and the native Trincadeira, with a small amount of Syrah blended in as well. In the winery it ferments exclusively in stainless steel to preserve the acidity and varietal characteristics of all three.

When you open this wine, I recommend decanting for up to half an hour, and be sure to serve slightly chilled as well, around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once this wine has some time to open up it delivers notes of fresh black plum, dried blackcurrant, red cherry, plum leaf, and earth. Drink 2025-2030 with grilled lamb skewers, sausage and bean soups, or charcuterie.