The 2005 Altano is a blend of Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca. A mass market wine, easily available and dirt cheap, it is another good value entrant in this line. As might be expected, it is grapey and young, short and simple. It has modest depth, but the wine does not feel thin now, in its youth. Expect it to thin rapidly over the course of its useful life, however. It has modest tannins, too, but there is enough of a tannic burst to provide reasonable support to the wine and even a little intensity early on after opening. The tannins and some acidity combine to give it some liveliness. For $6, it is hard to get reds that seem like real wine, and this does. It actually develops a little character with some air. Although it may survive longer, assume that for every passing year it will fade and be just a bit less impressive. It was rather exuberant when tasted in mid-2007. Drink now-2009. Importer for Vale do Bomfim: Premium Port Wines, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 554-9920; Importer for the Altano wines: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

This value Douro wine shows firm tannins and acidity. But it also has the brightest black berry fruits to balance that layer of dryness. It is a solid wine that reveals minerality, firm flavors and a final black fig sweetness.——R.V.(4/1/2010)—— 87