From vineyards in Douro Superior, the eastern section of the Douro region, this is a concentrated pure red berry fruit-flavored wine. It wears its richness lightly and easily, emphasizing the acidity as much as the ripe fruit. ——R.V.(11/1/2011)—— 88

The 2007 ALTANO is a blend of Tinta Roriz (75%) and Touriga Franca (25%), 80% of which was aged in a combination of French and American oak for four months. This is supposedly soft and fruity, but it does have a certain crispness to it and a touch of bitter herbs on the finish that gives it a tart edge and some intensity in its youth. On the good news side, it tastes good and drinks well, although it is a little sharp on the finish, particularly on opening. To its credit, it has the wherewithal to improve a little with 30 minutes of aeration. Although a bit thin, in its price range, it is more than fair enough as a house pour. Note that the data sheet and the label differ slightly concerning the grape proportions. Drink now-2011. Importer: Premium Port Wines, San Francisco, CA, tel: (415) 554-9920.