We totally crushed the 2015 and 2017... so much so that the winery released a little of the 2012 to us. And just us, for the entire US! Want some? The best part is the age... both reviews you see below indicate a wine that needed a few more years in bottle when reviewed in 2016. Well, five years later and this wine is singing!

João Portugal Ramos is one of the primary figures in the development of Portuguese table wines over the past 20 years. As a consultant, he has played a significant role in the development of some of Portugal’s most notable wines. Still, Portugal suffers from a lack of reputation… not a bad one… not a good one… just no reputation. For most consumers, the wines remain a mystery. Which means you get a deal... how is a $40 wine a deal? Uh, because it drinks like $100!

Quinta da Vicosa is Ramos' newest project. They were planted 20 years ago after Ramos was drawn to the site because of its limestone soil. You've heard about limestone before... it's the not-so-secret ingredient for great wines, resulting in fresh acidity, fine tannins and bright flavors. In a warm region like Alentejo, this is particularly important. For this wine, Ramos selects two different grape varieties to work with - one indigenous and one "international". Each vintage is a different blend. Always delicious, they have jumped to the next level these past two offerings.These are just too delicious and too interesting to miss!

João Portugal Ramos Quinta da Viçosa A-PV 2012

Sale $39.99 / Buy Three $34.99

94 pts Wine & Spirits / 92+ pts Wine Advocate

"The 2012 Quinta da Viçosa A-PV is an equal blend of Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Petit Verdot this year (hence, the A-PV), aged for 12 months in new French barriques. Opening with a little cream and a lot of power, this tightly wound Tinto is precise, penetrating on the finish and respectably concentrated. For all of its power and mid-palate concentration, it always seems classy and shows finesse. With air, the oak becomes better balanced by the power and fruit. This wine also then demonstrates its fresh feel. A bit too backward just now, it ideally needs another few years in the cellar for better results, but it should come around beautifully and age well. What will be interesting here is what this turns into in a decade or more." WA

"“João Portugal Ramos planted this vineyard in 1998 on a clay-limestone rise near Estremoz; the 100 acres of vines face in two directions: northeast and southeast. This is a selection of Aragonês and Petit Verdot, fermented in French oak vats and aged for a year in new, small French oak barrels. Perhaps it’s the water-holding capacity of limestone, or the exposure to the morning sun, but there’s a distinctly cool feel to this wine. It delivers its strength and intensity of flavor with subtlety and elegance, in notes of fruity mushrooms and fresh forest mint. Fine mineral tannins support and lengthen the flavors, suggesting this will age well if you don’t decide to enjoy it now.” W&S

João Portugal Ramos Quinta da Viçosa A-S 2017

Sale $39.99 / Buy Six $34.99

95 pts Wine Advocate

An equal blend of Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Syrah aged for 12 months in new and mostly American oak. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. up front, this is more notable for its power, concentration and finesse. Deep and intense, this very young blend is hard to fully appreciate because it is so tight, so closed and a bit hard-edged. Yet it has great fruit, sensual texture and the ability to age. This is special, and it should become more so with time. The only thing missing is time—to pull in the wood and moderate the tannins. It may hit peak more around the mid-2020s. It will age very well, so there's no rush. (Aug. 2019)

What to pair with? Hearty dishes like sausage and peppers, roasted lamb or beef stew would be lovely. And if you were in Evora, capital of the region? According to their tourism office, “Alentejo tradicional cuisine has, as a base, pork, lamb and bread. Always the bread. In special, older people never have a meal (not even a not at all traditional pasta) without a little bit of Alentejo bread.” Fresh herbs are an essential ingredient, including cilantro, mint and oregano along with the staples of olive oil, garlic and onion. Perhaps their most famous dish is Pork and Clams. Don’t wrinkle your nose… just look at this picture! And click for a recipe!

Reply to order. The 2012 arrives in 2-3 weeks. The 2017 is available Wednesday.