First taste: João Portugal Ramos Estremus 2012

“Under the table” has two meanings.  To be intoxicated or clandestine.  In the wine trade it can mean both since the clandestine thing is usually a sneak preview of an experimental or limited edition wine.  And with all the nudge nudge, wink wink secrecy, it had better be intoxicating!

Even had it been on (and not under) the table at last month’s Wines of Portugal Annual Tasting, I’d have made a bee-line for João Portugal Ramos’ table to taste Estremus 2012. The maiden 2011 vintage blew me away.  From the vintage which the man himself declared “the best ever” in 33 years, the 2012 had big boots to fill.

And just like in the Douro, while 2012 may not have been as stellar as 2011, yields were low and berries were small (and healthy) owing to drought (rainfall was but a third of the average in Estremoz).  So concentration was good. Again, just like in the Douro, because the summer was mild, wines had good structure and balance, if not the fruit intensity and muscle of 2011.  Here’s my note:

João Portugal Ramos Estremus 2012 (Estremoz, Alentejo)