The 2006 TINTO (QUINTA DOS QUATRO VENTOS) is a Douro blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, aged for 12 months in new French and Russian oak. This is elegant and forceful, with a bright demeanor that most 2006s do not have. I liked the red berry notes on the wine and the aromatics. That said, the oak and alcohol (14.5%) also seemed a bit noticeable at times, marring but not spoiling the otherwise good effort with a basic Tinto in a difficult vintage. There were times when I liked it as much as the Reserva, although the Reserva is more ageworthy and has a higher upside. The depth is average at best and it does thin with some air. There were approximately 9,333 cases produced, along with 1,500 magnums. Drink now-2014.Caves Alianca has transitioned to using just Alianca on the labels these days, so look for the wines under “A.” It is nice, actually, to see an effort in Portugal to provide consistent producer labeling across a lineup. It is sometimes a struggle to figure out who the producer is.Importer: Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, NY; tel. (914) 664-3155; importer for Quinta da Rigodeira only: Mega Wine, Van Nuys, CA; tel. (916) 686-2144

You can tell this is intended as an important wine by the extravagant weight of the bottle. Put that environmental disaster to one side, and you find inside an impressive wine, crafted by Frenchman Pascal Chatonnet and Alianca’s winemaker Francisco Antunes. The fruit power is balanced by wood, acidity, spice and sweet tannins. The wine rolls satisfyingly around the mouth now, but would be worth aging.——R.V.(11/1/2009)—— 92