The 2009 Reserva was tasted just a few weeks after bottling, yet it showed quite nicely. Powerful and deep, with good acidity and rather delicious fruit, it seems to have considerable potential and along with the 2008 should become the best of the Reservas yet bottled here. Drink 2013-2021. The Reserva vertical was poured at the winery in Alentejo. Admittedly, this was a somewhat disappointing vertical as the promise shown by the earlier vintages was not fulfilled. For the older wines, it raised more questions than answers. The good news is that the new vintages seem to have regrouped and they showed both more elegance and better balance.Importers: Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843; Barterhouse, New York, NY; tel. (917) 463-3076.

The 2008 Reserva is where this winery seemed to rediscover charm and balance. Crisp, but with well integrated acidity and tannin, this is very elegant, nicely structured and well put together, with a silky feel and nice texture. It should evolve into a friendly and sunny wine, although it is not quite there yet. Drink 2012-2020. The Reserva vertical was poured at the winery in Alentejo. Admittedly, this was a somewhat disappointing vertical as the promise shown by the earlier vintages was not fulfilled. For the older wines, it raised more questions than answers. The good news is that the new vintages seem to have regrouped and they showed both more elegance and better balance.Importers: Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843; Barterhouse, New York, NY; tel. (917) 463-3076.

Fermented in open lagars, this wine is luscious with wonderful depth of black fruit flavor, spice and acidity. It has hints of wood, although these are already well integrated into the ripe fruit. Age this wine for at least 3–4 years.——R.V.(11/1/2011)—— 93

The 2007 Reserva, 50% Alicante Bouschet this year, with a surprising 33% Tinta Miuda and a large chunk of Touriga Nacional, is sharp and a bit tart, with high acidity and a certain shrill and rustic feel. That said, it did improve with air and I liked it more when I went back to it. This still has some potential for the future, but it most assuredly is not in the most pleasant place at the moment. The acidity should help preserve it, but whether it goes anywhere good is not at all clear. Let’s be a bit conservative at the moment. Drink 2013-2020. The Reserva vertical was poured at the winery in Alentejo. Admittedly, this was a somewhat disappointing vertical as the promise shown by the earlier vintages was not fulfilled. For the older wines, it raised more questions than answers. The good news is that the new vintages seem to have regrouped and they showed both more elegance and better balance.Importers: Vinum Importing, Redmond, WA; tel. (206) 621-8843; Barterhouse, New York, NY; tel. (917) 463-3076.