The flagship wine from Joao Portugal Ramos is Vila Santa, a blend of 40% Trincadeira, 40% Aragones (Tempranillo), 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Alicante Bouschet. The wine is aged in French barrels. The outstanding 1999 Vila Santa (which achieved 14% natural alcohol) could easily pass for a second or third-growth Pauillac. It exhibits toasty, high quality new oak, and sweet blackberry and black currant fruit mixed with scents of truffles, grilled meats, herbs, and vanilla. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and moderately tannic, it appears to be extremely ageworthy. Give it 2-5 years of cellaring and consume it over the following two decades. Very impressive!Readers who have not yet tried some of the exciting wines emerging from Portugal need to search out this offering from Joao Portugal Ramos. This offering represents an excellent value.FRAN KYSELA, 130 Windy Hill Lane, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; fax (540) 722-9258