The 2007 TOURIGA NACIONAL (QUINTA DA GARRIDA) is refined and elegant, with moderate tannins supporting the fruit. Overly oaky on opening, its character a bit subsumed by sweet oak notes, this does come around well, eventually showing some earthy notes and more purity, nice structure and more fruit. It is a very nicely built Touriga, with a little upside potential. Drink now-2018. Importer: Winebow, Inc., Montvale, N.J.; tel: (201) 445-0620

The 2003 Touriga Nacional (Quinta da Garrida) is one of the nicer single-varietal Touriga Nacionals I saw in this vintage, and is available for a very reasonable price. It has a suave, modern feel to it, round around the edges and rather lush. But there is also structure evident given the firm, supporting tannins. This has clean flavors, with some brightness on the edges, cutting the smoothness imparted by the oak (a combination of Russian and French, interestingly). It is full in the mouth and tastes great. With air, the wine gets livelier and brighter, and the fruit sweeter. This is a pretty nice wine at a nice price. Drink now-2015.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)