The 2004 Tinto (Quinta da Terrugem) opens sweet, grapy and primary. The young fruit is cut with a haze of tannins that gives it grip on the finish. It also has some brightness. The oak, which should integrate well into the mid-weight mid-palate, is a bit obvious now, but rounds off the edges. This is not a terribly complex wine, but it is focused, elegantly crafted, and very pleasing. It has a suave, smooth, dare I say, modern feel to it. This is a blend of Aragones and Trincadeira, that saw twelve months in French oak. The longer I had this open, the more I liked it. There were approximately 3100 cases and 1513 magnums produced. Drink 2008-2014. This big company, with holdings throughout several Portuguese wine regions, brought in Michel Rolland and Pascal Chatonnet in 1999 to consult. Chatonnet remains, working with winemaker Francisco Antunes. From what I have seen, this big company does a nice job of crafting quality wines at generally fair prices.Various importers: Tri-Vin Imports, Mt. Vernon, NY; tel. (914) 664-3155; Mega Wine (sole importer for Quinta da Garrida), United Liquors, Altamira (Florida), Better Distributors (Texas), Great Lakes Wine Company (Illinois)

From Alianca’s Alentejo Terrugem vineyard, this dense, tannin-packed wine has powerful flavors of dark fruits, a very dry backbone and layer upon layer of tarry, smoky tastes. Initially it overwhelms with its richness, but that softens and the acidity gives the wine a lifted vibrancy.——R.V.(9/1/2007)—— 90