The 2007 RESERVA CONDE DE VIMIOSO (FALUA) is a blend of Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a combination of new and used French oak for 16 months. In most this years, this wine offers a lot for a reasonable price. The 2007 is quite attractive. It opens too marked by oak, with a minty, vanilla overlay that I could do without. However, the supporting tannins here should allow this wine to age gracefully for a reasonable time, in which time it can absorb some of that oak into the elegant mid-palate. Focused, tight and elegant, this is a wine that will repay a little cellaring, even if approachable young. Drink 2010-2017. Importers: for Loios, Vila Santa and Quinta da Vicosa brands: Winebow, Inc., Montvale, N.J.; tel: (201) 445-0620; for Marques de Borba brand and Red Leg: Signature Imports, Mansfield, MA; tel: (800) 669-0750 (in New England, New Jersey, N.Y.) and HGC Imports, San Jose, CA; tel: (408) 947-8511 (for Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington State and Colorado); for Conde de Vimioso (Falua) brand: Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843 (Washington, Portland and California) and Aidil Wines & Liquors, a division of Olde World Imports, Inc., Rahway, NJ; tel. (973) 642-0044 (New England, New Jersey and New York).

The 2005 RESERVA CONDE DE VIMIOSO FALUA is Touriga Nacional dominated (50%) with Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Tinta Roriz (30%). It is worth a new look at this impressive, nice value wine reviewed last year. It retains a bit of an oaky demeanor on opening, but it shows more character now as well, more complexity and better integration of oak and fruit. It is not quite as tight on opening any more, but on Day 2 it is all about intensity and shows some serious power, some considerable tannic grip on the finish. It drinks well on Day 3. This increasingly looks to be a very good cellar candidate from Ribatejo. Drink now-2019. Importers: for Loios, Vila Santa and Quinta da Vicosa brands: Winebow, Inc., Montvale, N.J.; tel: (201) 445-0620; for Marques de Borba brand and Red Leg: Signature Imports, Mansfield, MA; tel: (800) 669-0750 (in New England, New Jersey, N.Y.) and HGC Imports, San Jose, CA; tel: (408) 947-8511 (for Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington State and Colorado); for Conde de Vimioso (Falua) brand: Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843 (Washington, Portland and California) and Aidil Wines & Liquors, a division of Olde World Imports, Inc., Rahway, NJ; tel. (973) 642-0044 (New England, New Jersey and New York).

The 2003 “Conde de Vimioso Reserva” (Falua – Sociedade de Vinhos) is a blend of Trincadeira, Aragones, Touriga Nacional & Cabernet Sauvignon. It coats the mouth, and is intense, gripping, and moderately oaky. The tannins, although gripping, should balance out nicely with the fruit. The wine’s flavor profile, however, was a bit eccentric, with hints of menthol and eucalyptus, and streaks of green, bell pepper and some asparagus, on the lingering but not necessarily delectable finish. Structurally, this is a very well crafted wine, in fact, far more impressive than anything else that I have had under this label. I was not wild about the flavor profile. I’m wondering if, with some cellaring, this could come around and show like a better, more intense version of the 2001, but if I had to bet, I would have to bet “no.” Drink 2008-2015.Ramos is one of the best known names in Southern Portugal, making wines under a variety of labels and in several regions. His labels include the familiar Marques de Borba, as well as Vila Santa. His company also owns Falua in Ribatejo. For convenience, all our grouped here, since they are all Ramos-owned operations. Ramos is also the winemaker at his father-in-law’s estate (separately listed), Quinta de Foz de Arouce. Oh, and just a pet peeve – between Borba, Vila Santa and Falua, Ramos seems to delight in making the vintage dates tiny and/or indistinct. Bring a magnifying glass.Importer: Signature Imports, Mansfield, MA; tel. (800) 667-0750; Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843; Aidil Wines & Liquors, a division of Olde World Imports, Inc., Rahway, NJ; tel. (973) 642-0044

The 2001 “Conde de Vimioso Reserva” (Falua – Sociedade de Vinhos) has beautiful, plum-nuanced fruit in this unfined, unfiltered bottling. I just loved the flavors. The tannins appear quickly, but they are relatively refined and ripe. The finish has some grip, though, and the flavors are persistent and lingering. The elegant mid-palate is round, with traces of oak, and there is some brightness to cut the sweet, rather delectable fruit. With a hint of eucalyptus or mint, this seems to me to be a pretty fine deal in a modern-styled wine. It is approachable now, and the tannins fall off fairly quickly after its initial wake-up call. A bit simple, admittedly, stylish but not intense or complex, and not likely to become so with cellaring, it is pretty much at peak already. Yet, this wine is very attractive and a pretty nice deal at its price point. Kudos also on the beautiful bottle. Drink now-2012. Ramos is one of the best known names in Southern Portugal, making wines under a variety of labels and in several regions. His labels include the familiar Marques de Borba, as well as Vila Santa. His company also owns Falua in Ribatejo. For convenience, all our grouped here, since they are all Ramos-owned operations. Ramos is also the winemaker at his father-in-law’s estate (separately listed), Quinta de Foz de Arouce. Oh, and just a pet peeve – between Borba, Vila Santa and Falua, Ramos seems to delight in making the vintage dates tiny and/or indistinct. Bring a magnifying glass.Importer: Signature Imports, Mansfield, MA; tel. (800) 667-0750; Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843; Aidil Wines & Liquors, a division of Olde World Imports, Inc., Rahway, NJ; tel. (973) 642-0044