The 2010 TINTO “MARQUES DE BORBA” is a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in second pass oak. It is a charmer in what is a pretty consistent, good value offering from Ramos. Smooth and refined, with good depth and well integrated tannins, but also some liveliness, this has a certain air of richness and it is bursting with flavor. It is just lovely this year, a very nice effort in the vintage, elegant and delicious. It should hold reasonably well, but it seems to drink nicely right now. This isn’t the winery’s best wine, which becomes more apparent as they are all aired out for a several hours or even retasted the next day, but it is far and away the best value and drinking great now. It should be encountered on the younger side for best results, but it has enough stuffing so that it won’t fall apart in a few years. Drink now-2018. 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: Winebow, Inc; 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)

A young and fruity wine, full of ripe black currant fruit. Its tannins are soft, a good balance with the fresh, juicy fruit. Drink or age a year.——R.V.(11/1/2011)—— 86