The 2008 TINTO “MONTE CASCAS” from Douro is a blend of Touriga Franca (65%), Touriga Nacional (25%) and Tinta Roriz (10%) oak aged, 25% new for 9 months. It is round and velvety in texture, an appealing wine with some structure and a backbone, together with good flavor, which lingers respectably on the finish. Without a lot of mid-palate concentration, after resolving its tannins, it fades a bit and becomes much gentler and softer. Nonetheless, it shows very well for its price range and seems to be a pretty good value in the Monte Cascas Douro lineup. Many may be happy stopping right here, although I’d certainly pick the Douro and Alentejo Reservas for the best intersections of price and quality. Drink now-2016. These wines are part of Joe Veselko’s (formerly having worked at Pocas) Wine Project Portugal import venture, designed to showcase various Portuguese regions and grapes. The Casca winemakers are Frederico Gomes (formerly of Herdade da Malhadinha Nova) and Helder Cunha, who worked at Kent Rasmussen and Vinhos Borges. The Monte Cascas brand label means “pile of shells,” very loosely, the origin of the name for Cascais, the winemakers’ home town, not far from Lisbon. The Cape Roca brand label, with various maritime and nautical themes like “boat” and “fisherman,” references Portugal’s connection with the Atlantic Ocean, as Cape Roca is the westernmost point of the European continent. The Cape Roca wines are meant to be a little more approachable and accessible to the average consumer. They tend to be made in greater quantities and are often at lower price points—at the least, the ultra premium wines are under the Monte Cascas label. Finally, make sure you’re looking at the right region in the reviews. There may be more than one 2008 Casca Reserva Tinto, for example—one from Douro, one from Alentejo, etc.Importer: Laurel Importers, Bristol, R.I.; tel: (401) 396-9661