The wine had everything to satisfy the wine lover's demands: it was from a region very much in vogue, made by one of the country's most renowned winemakers, João Portugal Ramos, and on top of that it was also very good. In fact I should say it still is very good; I tasted it recently and it is still full of strength and likely to remain so for several years. The excellence of the ›1997‹, however, had a negative effect on the next vintage - the ›1999 Reserva‹. Less imposing than the ›97‹, or perhaps more "misunderstood" as its producer claims, the ›1999‹ was naturally compared to its predecessor and judged to be wanting. Meanwhile, many other labels of great quality were coming onto the market from varying regions, making life even harder for the ›1999‹. It would take a truly grandiose red wine, therefore, to overshadow the memory of the ›1997‹ and be ranked among the greats, not oly from the
Alentejo but from Portugal. This recently relaesed ›Marquês de Borba 2000‹ does just that.
Made from
Trincadeira,
Aragonês,
Cabernet and
Alicante Bouschet, it is a remarkable red of huge richness and aromatic concentration, interweaving red fruits, spices, herbs, jam and hints of vanilla from good oak. The wine manages to integrate power and elegance almost to perfection, with top quality fruit, very firm yet rounded
tannins and a long, distinctive finish. Great wine!
18,5/20 (= very good, superior character and potential)
[af]
