The 2005 GRANDE RESERVA, is 90% Touriga Nacional, with a blend of Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca for the last 10%. It is sexy and lush, tinged a bit too much with oak at the moment, but hopefully it will improve in that regard with some cellaring. In the meanwhile, it is rich and bursting with flavor, aromatic and ripe, with a sensual texture. The oak (French, new) does make this seem a bit simple as well as New World, hardly a complex, earthy Douro. I tried it again the next day, and it was still hard to find the fruit. This is approachable now, even though, with air, the refined tannins appear and provide some gentle grip on the finish. It should hold nicely for several years as well. Drink now-2015. Importer: Grape Moments, a Division of Sintra Imports, New Bedford, MA; tel. (508) 997-0100

Balanced but powerful, the dense tannins push through the black fruits, accompanied by complex acidity and wood flavors. This demands attention, with its strong statement of richness, tight tannins and rounded fruits.——R.V.(11/1/2008)—— 93