The 2008 TINTO “VINHA DAS ROMAS” is principally Syrah and Touriga Nacional with Touriga Franca and Alicante Bouschet blended in, all from a single vineyard and aged for 9 months in French oak. The oak seems rather prominent here, but the wine is generally well balanced and it adds a backbone to the lower level wines. It seems quite harmonious, despite the grip and intensity on the finish. The wine is, also, quite delicious, dribbling intense flavor over the palate. The mid-palate is on the elegant side. All that said—the price spike here over the lower level wines is considerable. This is definitely more ageworthy and has some upside, which its score reflects, than the lower priced wines. It’s up to you whether the price hike merits the difference. Drink now-2018. Ravasqueira is an estate long associated with horse racing and breeding. The wine is more recent, the first vintage having been produced in 2001, and is handled by winemakers Rui Reguinga and Carlos Rodrigues. Total production is about 200,000 bottles. In this group of “first look” releases, the winery has provided some pretty good values with their lesser wines, but struggles, I think, to justify the price gap between the big boys and the value entrants. While the big boys may be technically better and the various levels may separate themselves with age, as the lower level wines just don’t have the same structure, I’m not sure they ever will be as charming or win as many fans as the lower priced wines. Just drink the under $20 wines young and fresh, for best results.Importer: Artisan Vines Distributing, Atlanta, GA; tel: (404) 688-0232