The 2007 PALPITE white is a blend of Verdelho (30%), Antao Vaz (30%) and Arinto (40%) aged for 12 months in French oak. The oak is too obvious on opening and as a result it lacks the exuberance of some of the fresher brancos in this lineup, reviewed this issue. It is elegant and graceful otherwise with some acidity poking through and it has the best finish of this winery's whites reviewed this issue. There is, though, a considerable price hike and the style here may be different than what some want. This certainly has some merits, it grew on me and it showed better with warmth and developed more finesse than I thought it had, but many will be as happy with the lower priced wines in the lineup. This is the winery's limited edition white; there were 500 cases produced. Drink now-2012. Fita Preta Vinhos is a joint venture between viticulturist David Booth and oenologist Antonio Macanita. As David Booth told me, they have themselves wavered on how they wanted the producer name spelled one word, as I've listed it in the past, consistent with what one usually sees on the front of the labels; or two words, as the formal name of the company is spelled. Their final decision one word, but don't be surprised if you see it both ways as Fita Preta is in fact two words, meaning 'Black Ribbon.' Stylistically, in case you are wondering, the brand names signify different things. The 'Sexy' wines tend to be ripe and accesible and use international grapes. For some reason, it is hard to find 'Fita Preta' anywhere; it is in tiny print on the back label. While I'm always scared of brands that seem to be more interested in marketing than winemaking, these have turned the corner and are showing pretty well. The regular Tintos and Brancos, with just Fitapreta on the label, are a bit more focused and use Southern Portuguese grapes. The Palpite and Preta are specialty, upper level brands.Importer: Wine Bridge Imports, Davis, Ca; tel: (530) 574-1157; in New York only: A&R Wine Imports, White Plains, N.Y.; Info@WestchesterWineImports.com

The 2006 PALPITE red is a blend of Aragones, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in French oak. Elegant in the mid-palate, it is well laced with oak nuances. Ripe tannins are around the edges and tickle the palate, but become harder with air. This vintage was, of course, a difficult one in Portugal, and it has many merits in that context and some finesse. There were 600 cases produced. Drink now-2016. Fita Preta Vinhos is a joint venture between viticulturist David Booth and oenologist Antonio Macanita. As David Booth told me, they have themselves wavered on how they wanted the producer name spelled one word, as I've listed it in the past, consistent with what one usually sees on the front of the labels; or two words, as the formal name of the company is spelled. Their final decision one word, but don't be surprised if you see it both ways as Fita Preta is in fact two words, meaning 'Black Ribbon.' Stylistically, in case you are wondering, the brand names signify different things. The 'Sexy' wines tend to be ripe and accesible and use international grapes. For some reason, it is hard to find 'Fita Preta' anywhere; it is in tiny print on the back label. While I'm always scared of brands that seem to be more interested in marketing than winemaking, these have turned the corner and are showing pretty well. The regular Tintos and Brancos, with just Fitapreta on the label, are a bit more focused and use Southern Portuguese grapes. The Palpite and Preta are specialty, upper level brands.Importer: Wine Bridge Imports, Davis, Ca; tel: (530) 574-1157; in New York only: A&R Wine Imports, White Plains, N.Y.; Info@WestchesterWineImports.com