The 2008 RESERVA is a blend of Tinta Roriz (45%), Touriga Nacional (40%) and Touriga Franca (15%), aged in new French oak for 9 months. It has a hard edge similar to the regular Tinto, reviewed this issue, but adds a layer of depth, although it is not particularly deep. Powerful and intense, it is, like a lot of wines in this vintage, crisp and fresh and in need of some bottle aging and patience. It has some upside potential, although it took a good 3 hours before it began to show me what it really had. I went from fearing that I was overrating it to fearing that I was underrating it. This is a pretty good value point in this lineup. There were 31,147 bottles produced, along with 310 magnums. Drink 2013-2024. The pretty labels are always fun, but reality beckons—this estate is increasingly a major player in the Douro.Importer: M Imports, Coppell, TX; tel: (214) 505-0616.

A powerful wine, certainly, although in the elegant style of Quinta do Portal. Big black berry and plum flavors wrap around tannins that are still young, exuberant, needing time to settle down. The acidity and the solid tannic structure suggest good aging. ——R.V.(4/1/2011)—— 92

The 2007 RESERVA is a blend of Touriga Nacional (40%), Tinta Roriz (40%) and Touriga Franca (20%) aged in French oak for 9 months. Rather gamey and elegant in the mid-palate, it grips the palate and lingers on the finish. As this sat in the glass, it expanded, showing better depth, and more intensity in terms of both tannin and fruit. This is a wine that should hold well in the cellar. If you don’t like the gamey notes, it may not be for you. My only quibble was a little harshness on the finish. It will be interesting to see how some cellaring affects this wine. This winery keeps making strides, and given the pricing, it is a very fine value. Drink 2010-2020. This estate, with the pretty labels, is increasingly a player in the Douro. In the difficult 2006 vintage, the winery turned out pretty respectable performances. The 2007s look very successful and at the lower end are very good values.Importer: M Imports, Coppell, TX; tel: (214) 505-0616.

A big-hearted wine, with full-bodied black fruits, sweet tannins and a delicious balance between structure and opulence. There is just enough restraint here, but not much, and the wine does want to burst out of the glass.——R.V.(12/15/2009)—— 91